3 Common Denominators of Fulfilling Careers
November 5, 2020
Each of us has unique skills, individual talents and distinct career goals. Yet the three things that top the list of benefits in the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) appeal to almost every job seeker, regardless of experience or profession.
That's because these three things are the lifeblood of all healthy careers. Without them, you will find yourself adrift in a churning labor market, without a clear path to the shore.
They are 1) exceptional benefits, 2) job stability, and 3) work that makes a difference.
Exceptional Benefits
- Paid Time Off: Employees get a large package of paid time off, including 10 federal holidays, generous annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave, in addition to all rights afforded by The Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Health and Life Insurance: The federal programs for health, dental and vision insurance are among the best. Long-term needs are addressed through long-term care insurance and life insurance.
- Federal Retirement Plans: The Federal Employee Retirement System is a three-tiered plan that combines a basic benefit plan with Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan, a tax-deferred retirement savings plan similar to the private sector 401(k).
- Education: Depending on where you work, the IC provides generous support for tuition and related expenses for private sector college and university programs. The IC also runs its own accredited university, National Intelligence University, where IC employees can specialize in subjects unique to the IC.
- Work-Life Balance: The IC makes work-life balance a priority. Depending on your position and your agency, you may be able to take advantage of a flexible schedule or telework. Long office hours are usually rare, and it's not likely that you will be expected to answer office emails, texts or telephone calls from home. On-campus resources make daily tasks easier, such fitness centers, banking series and motor vehicle services.
The Stability of Government Jobs
Unlike commercial companies, the federal government does not operate on a for-profit model. While commercial companies traded on the U.S. stock exchange are driven by quarterly profits for stockholders, the federal government is driven by one thing: service to the American people. Employees are not furloughed to improve quarterly numbers.
While there are no guarantees of continued employment, it's safe to say that your government position will be more stable than a similar position in the private sector.
Why IC Jobs Make a Difference
The value that drives employment in the federal government is public service. Federal government employees do what they do for the health, safety and prosperity of the American people.
The U.S. Intelligence Community deals with a wide range of issues, all of them considered potential risks to the American way of life. When you report to work in the IC, you are not simply collecting a paycheck. You are making a better world for you, your family, your community and your fellow Americans.
Get More Details
To learn more about the benefits of specific agencies, check out these microsites on Intelligence Careers:
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
National Security Agency (NSA)