(Note: this post was written before I had an incredibly slow day at work, to be ended with my boss snarking at me for reminding them of a deadline they were the one holding us up on, then staying late to discuss a last minute and unreasonable deadline from on high. The sun had set by the time I got home, bringing work with me, leaving me no time for a jog like I had hoped. My dinner so far is a bag of peanut butter M&Ms).
Introduction: In the past year (+/- one month), I have made observations on the differences in being a graduate student vs. a public servant. While my initial hypothesis that there are some major differences was correct (namely in salary size and daily habits), there are some unexpected similarities. While this study is somewhat limited in it's sample size (n=1), qualitative observations and informal surveys (never got the ethics approval) have shown that my theories do have merit.
Theory 1: Public servants are paid better
HELL YEAH. However, there are fewer opportunities to pillage free food. Further, wardrobe requirements (see below) also impact on earnings.
Theory 2: Public servants have a more regular schedule
Correct. While when I was a graduate student I could amble into my lab basically anytime I chose as I barely ever saw my supervisor, and didn't always go to the lab even, as a public servant I am supposed to be at work between 8:30 and 9. There are no major threats to my tenure if I do not do so, but there is no 'taking the morning off to read'. I do miss those days on cold and rainy mornings.
Theory 3: There will be significantly fewer socks and sandals combinations
True (p=0.001), thank goodness. Though, the overall greater expectations as to my wardrobe (no yoga pants, limited Birks), which does make me sad some days.
Theory 4: There will be fewer opportunities for office gossip with co-workers
Incorrect (p=0.53).
Theory 5: There will be a greater opportunity to travel
HA! Incorrect. While doing my Masters I travelled to the North, to Vancouver and the States for conferences and field work. So far, the government has sent me to..... Toronto. The suburbs even.
Theory 6: I will be happier and less stressed
The latter, definitely true. The former, well, it's a different kind of happy. There are days where I feel as though I've done some great, relevant, important work. And then there are days that I feel as though I have spent most of it working against other sections or the bureaucracy as a whole. While I often complained about having a basically non-existent supervisor, I definitely appreciate it now when I have to go through multiple levels of approvals for something to be OKed. I do miss being my own boss and working on something I really believed in, that was mine.
But, I am also still at the beginning of my career and know that there will be opportunities in my future to regain that autonomy and orient myself to work effectively to improve the state of things in this country and around the world. I also very much appreciate that at the moment,I don't have much authority and a lot of support as I learn a totally new way of thinking and writing at times. But I couldn't have learned so quickly if it wasn't for the trial by fire that was grad school at times.
Conclusion: I made the right decision for myself, to take the step out of academia and join the world of government. There are positives and negatives, as there are to everything, but for the most part, I leave each day feeling like I have contributed, which to me means a lot. But I hope that those of you out there still in the grad school trenches know I am still with you, and am always up to go grab some free snacks.
(There were no free snacks today.)
