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Why Work for Uncle Sam? Perhaps To Climb a Huge Rock

Ela and her rock

IT Operations
DOI
Wed Oct 11, 2006 2:00 PM

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OK, the outdoors has a draw, now address contracting, procurement, vehicle management, and the myriad of other administrative jobs that want for the 20 somethings . . . haven't seen any 20 somethings passionately clammering to "Get that contract awarded . . ". Mayber if we put the admin desk in the tule's ???

Re: Ela and her rock

Human Resources Specialist
Department of Treasury
Wed Oct 11, 2006 2:40 PM
Unlike the report, I do not disparage the new generation. After all, we were the sixties generation and few thought we would have a work ethic or be acceptable in the workplace. Today we see young people volunteering for the armed services to defend their country. I am assuming that young people will join the Federal and state governments for the same reasons we did: to serve one's country and to work on behalf of change for the better in the performance of our duties for the public good. When I, a male, had hair below my shoulders, and patched jeasn and a T-shirt were my daily dress, I am sure no one looking at me at the time, including me, I would have foreseen that I would commit my career to government service.

Ho-hum generation? Give me a break...

Contracting Officer
DoD
Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:37 AM

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Some of those people who make the moronic generalizations and paint an entire age cohort with the same brush, calling them the "ho-hum" generation, need to be both slapped and reminded how their generation probably was treated identically by similar small-minded fools decades ago. The baby boomers mostly pulled it off (with exceptions), and this and every other generation before and after will too.

I am a thirty-something federal employee and from where my age group sits, it seems there has not been a higher educated, more stringently filtered group coming into the federal workforce EVER. Many of the senior managers from the boomer generation do not have Bachelor degrees, Masters degrees or certifications as we all were required to simply get our foot in the door at the entry level! The older generations simply took a test, started in the typing pool, or some other GS-2 clerical position. This disparity in education, and in some cases skills, is apparent to many of us. Ho-hum

Ho-Hum? Get real.

Admin-type job
VA
Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:03 AM

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Ho-Hum generation?

Please... Just to get our foot in the door at GS-5 admin-type jobs we are required to have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field PLUS experience.

It takes at least a year to get hired. So, you have to have a job in order to get one.

Finally, you get hired at a significantly lower salary than you can make in the private sector with raises determined by national politics - not performance. Bonuses are non-existent until you reach the GS-13 level or so where I work.

In addition to the one you highlighted, there are many reasons my generation chooses public service. Insurance, vacation, military leave benefits, child care benefits, work hours, retirement benefits, and love of public service.

Contrary to your article, we are not a bunch of slackers playing with our IPods who willingly take temp jobs. We are normal people with 2 kids, student loans, car and house payments who are happy to have a nice job that we enjoy.

Re: Ho-Hum? Get real.

hr specialist
USDA
Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:38 AM
I am not sure you read the article past the initial quote. The article about the park ranger paints a favorable picture of a new federal employee and is contrary to the initial quote from another publication. In fact, the final statement at the end of the article sums up the general tone of the article. I have to think you were reacting to someone else's quote rather than actually reading or understanding what was being written here.

ho hum generation

forestry technician
forest service-lake tahoe
Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:56 PM

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there is no ho huming with the forest service. you want a job its easy and really no qualifications needed other than no white males need apply. this is especially true in the fire organization. just be a female and the less experience you have the further and faster you will be promoted. and by the way huming is encouraged.

Re: ho hum generation

Analyst
DOD
Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:59 AM
Stow the sour grapes.

Ho Hum Huh?

Timber Sale Administrator
Forest service
Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:15 PM

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I am very offended by the phrase "Ho Hum" generation. I worked my tail off to get where I am today. I started at the GS-1 level, hit every grade up (except for gs-4) to the 7 level. I served my country in the Marine Corps for four years. I am no exception from my generation, there are many in the same boat as me and many more who have accomplished far more than I have.

This statement is coming from the "Flower Children"? I can probably write a 1000 page essay on the messes the boomer generation made that is left for us to clean up.

Mistakes will always be made, I understand that. Im sure our generation will be no different than the previous in that respect. Just give us a little more credit. We are far more educated, and do have more technology and information at our fingertips. Yes some of us do tote cell phones, mp3 players, and play virtual games. What did the boomers have? LSD and the Beetles. If your not happy with my generation its your fault, you raised us!

ho hum generation

forestry technician
forest service-lake tahoe
Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:57 PM

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to dod analyst-sorry i know the truth hurts- but it must be told.

Re: ho hum generation

Analyst
DOD
Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:35 PM
It doesn't hurt, it's just annoying to constantly see gripes such as "no white males need apply". The Forest Service must be a terrible place to work based on the complaints that keep popping up on this forum. Most of the complaints don't say anything of substance though, usually childish things such as "just be a female".

It would be nice to hear intelligent discourse instead.

Devils Tower National Monument correction

Chief of Interpretation
NPS- Devils Tower
Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:15 PM

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Although located in rural northeastern Wyoming, Devils Tower National Monument is open daily year round. The park's administration building serves as the visitor contact station when the visitor center is closed in December, January, February, and March. Most of the annual 400,000 visitors visit the Tower between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

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