[PJ07]

Is it true that working in the civil service will prevent opportunities in the private sector?

Namely if you started your career in the civil service and did a couple of years work there would you still be an attractive prospect to big private sector companies if you later wanted to change to the likes of the big banks or consultancies?

Cheers in advance.

[PJ07]

[TomDixie]

It would surely just depend on your experience. For example, if you were in the Department of Energy and Climate Change for a fair few years and had intimate knowledge of government regulations, potential future investments etc then you'd be an attractive proposition to energy companies.

[victoryshinesonus]

I doubt they care that much tbh...people switch all the time, however, if you start off in the public sector, you're more likely to stay there. The benefits are great! In terms of pay, holiday leave, workload etc. that said, lower efficiency levels.

[LETSJaM]

No. One parent was a (high up) civil servant; left and joined private sector for a few years, and has subsequently rejoined the civil service again.

<3 x

[MagicNMedicine]

No if you have a good job in the Civil Service its one of the better graduate schemes to be on and you get good experience so it will be valuable for many private sector schemes. You can also build good contacts and get experience in a particular sector - being involved with government tends to make you need an in depth knowledge of that sector, and you will work with private sector stakeholders as well so people can and do switch over.

[PJ07]

(Original post by victoryshinesonus)
I doubt they care that much tbh...people switch all the time, however, if you start off in the public sector, you're more likely to stay there. The benefits are great! In terms of pay, holiday leave, workload etc. that said, lower efficiency levels.

(Original post by TomDixie)
It would surely just depend on your experience. For example, if you were in the Department of Energy and Climate Change for a fair few years and had intimate knowledge of government regulations, potential future investments etc then you'd be an attractive proposition to energy companies.

(Original post by LETSJaM)
No. One parent was a (high up) civil servant; left and joined private sector for a few years, and has subsequently rejoined the civil service again.

<3 x

(Original post by MagicNMedicine)
No if you have a good job in the Civil Service its one of the better graduate schemes to be on and you get good experience so it will be valuable for many private sector schemes. You can also build good contacts and get experience in a particular sector - being involved with government tends to make you need an in depth knowledge of that sector, and you will work with private sector stakeholders as well so people can and do switch over.

I appreciate the answers!

Cheers

It's good to hear that you are in agreement that working in the civil service does not prevent a later crossover. I was offered a graduate position with the civil service and I really think it will be enjoyable and that I'll learn a lot. At the same time I'd quite like to be able to change over in the future, one of my lecturers who works for a big consultancy really slammed the civil service and said you'd never be able to change and that worried me.

So it's good to know that his position on it is not in line with the general consensus.

[LETSJaM]

(Original post by PJ07)
I appreciate the answers!

Cheers

It's good to hear that you are in agreement that working in the civil service does not prevent a later crossover. I was offered a graduate position with the civil service and I really think it will be enjoyable and that I'll learn a lot. At the same time I'd quite like to be able to change over in the future, one of my lecturers who works for a big consultancy really slammed the civil service and said you'd never be able to change and that worried me.

So it's good to know that his position on it is not in line with the general consensus.

Clearly your lecturer is bitter about missed opportunities.

<3 x

[MagicNMedicine]

(Original post by LETSJaM)
Clearly your lecturer is bitter about missed opportunities.

<3 x

I wonder if the lecturer knows how public and private sector view academics...