So, big news. Starting June 8th, I will be leaving my quiet Work From Home Job as a TPA, to work for the Social Security Administration. I’ll be a Fed.
I have to be honest, I’m a bit surprised that I got the job. The position was only open for 4 days, the resume I sent was a mess (just butchered an old regular resume, but made sure it fit all the skills they were looking for). My only saving grace was that it was a Pathway Job, so only open to new Graduates (graduated in the last 2 years for civilians). Because I graduated in October 2018, I qualified!
The job is all downsides for the first year.
I will be back on the road again, driving 2 hours a day.
I will be making less as a GS-7
I’ll need to update my closet.
I’ll be paying more in gas and car maintenance.
I won’t be able to take an vacations for the first 11 months due to training.
On the plus side
After 1 year, I’ll move up to GS-9 and then GS-11 the year after. So after 1 year, I’ll be making a little more then I do now. After 2 years, a lot more (provide they keep me, which is no different from any other job).
Government Pension and Health Insurance, so that will cost less (it might balance out the initial salary loss)
Extra time off for sickness
Better options available after working for 2 years.
Oh, and tax free Student Loan Forgiveness. I’m on the Compensation Based Student Loan Payment, but with the Government, whatever is left after 10 years is tax free.
The odd part is, I do start on June 8th, with a long phone call. And then I’m put on Paid Administrative Leave until the offices open up. So… vacation of sorts? Maybe?
Anyway, this career change was not easy for me. I really like my job, but with the times that are coming, even though I think the company will survive, I think I would rather hunker down with the US government. Also, those Student Loans are like a Sword of Damocles hanging over my head!
In other news, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has created a new certificate program for people with 30 credit hours and experience with Speech Pathology, but don’t have a Master’s Degree. So, its a certification that my wife can definitely get, allowing her to find more work in the field.
Last time she worked in the field (5 years ago), it was as an aide. It paid well for a position that didn’t require a Bachelor’s degree, but now that there is an an in between position being create, she should be able to make a little more money, while doing more with clients. Hopefully, she’ll be apply to some positions in 2021, when we final feel a bit safer.
