Hi everyone,
I’m in a bit of a dilemma and would really appreciate some advice.
Last year, I applied for a NSW Government role and was placed in a merit pool. Just last week, I was offered the same position and have since passed all the employment checks.
However, I’m currently working in the private sector in a permanent role, and I like the work I’m doing. The environment is fast-paced, and I have the opportunity to experiment with new technologies and continue developing my skills.
That said, I wanted to see how far I could push the offer, and somewhat surprisingly, the NSW Government agency matched my current salary (slightly higher actually) and even offered me the highest salary within the band for the role. The catch is that this government position is a contract role, not permanent.
I’m torn. I’m only 23, and I’m concerned that the pace of work in the public sector might be slower, which could impact my growth and exposure to new technologies. At the same time, the government role offers a strong salary, even if it doesn’t have the same level of security as my current position. And also the opportunity to laterally move between agencies and roles.
I’m trying to weigh up whether to prioritise faster learning, stability, and long-term growth in my current permanent role, or take the higher-paying but contract-based government opportunity.
I’m starting to wonder if I might be falling into the “grass is always greener on the other side” mindset.