[mommy2Breana+Brandon]

Do you have room for advancement in your place of work?

[shockandawe]

Not really. It's all considered advancement in place. So a whole bunch of work harder to level up paygrades, but not real vertical mobility or even lateral mobility in terms of job change.

Makes for a long and tediously dull existence when you thrive on learning new things.

[-erin-]

There are 4 "levels" for my position), I'm currently at the third one, so just one higher to go. Not a whole lot of extra incentive to try for it though.

[Mom of One]

I was just promoted. So yes there is room for advancement. And there are opportunities to move around and do different tasking. I like what I do though and am needed as not many people care for the task that I do and I am very appreciated for what I do. We advance a "step" every year until we max out or get promoted to the new "GS". So I am at the bottom of my new GS, so I have many years to "Step". So it's all good, each step is a pay increase. People retire or move on, so there is room to move around. But I like the task that I am doing now.

[shockandawe]

Originally Posted by Mom of One

I was just promoted. So yes there is room for advancement. And there are opportunities to move around and do different tasking. I like what I do though and am needed as not many people care for the task that I do and I am very appreciated for what I do. We advance a "step" every year until we max out or get promoted to the new "GS". So I am at the bottom of my new GS, so I have many years to "Step". So it's all good, each step is a pay increase. People retire or move on, so there is room to move around. But I like the task that I am doing now.

I think it's awesome you like what you're doing. What do you do exactly?

[pumpkinpie24]

Very limited. I work for a museum. The only way I could move "up" is if my department expanded and I had more staff to supervise. I am starting a program to get a master's degree, and apparently once completed it would lead to a change in job title. (My museum is in a University, and the degree program is through that University, so they have a precedent.) That's an automatic promotion and raise, even if it's the same job. But that is at least a couple years away. The expansion in my department could take place before that. Or not at all.

[Mom of One]

Originally Posted by shockandawe

I think it's awesome you like what you're doing. What do you do exactly?

Well I work for the Navy doing configuration Management. Which means I make sure that I manage the database that is responsible for the configuration of everything on board every Navy ship. I specifically handle the Weapon systems. So anytime a system is added, removed or upgraded I make sure that is reflected in the database. All parts are contained in that database and the sailors can order parts as needed from their end aboard ship. Most weapon systems are all run by computers, then electronic systems, so it's always being improved. I handle the destroyers and cruisers. It's a lot of work but a natural path as my father was in the Navy for 22 years and then worked civil service (like I am now) for another 20. So it's just been our way of life. It's just what I know. It's what I'm good at and I love supporting the fleet and they are all very appreciative of what I do. It all comes down to readiness. The sailors need to keep the systems working and I have to be able to keep the database configured correctly so they can get their hands on the right parts as needed.

[Banned-over.the.moon]

There is some, but not much. We're a smaller company, and the position that was directly above me was eliminated when that person retired, and instead the four of us who reported to her were just made "directors" of our departments and given raises. Which I was cool with. I'm happy where I am for now, it's fun, I work with great people, and I actually like what I do and who I do it for.

[Kristin32]

Originally Posted by shockandawe

Not really. It's all considered advancement in place. So a whole bunch of work harder to level up paygrades, but not real vertical mobility or even lateral mobility in terms of job change.

Makes for a long and tediously dull existence when you thrive on learning new things.

I work for the government and I'm in the exact same situation! I really wish there were more opportunities for me to move up or around. If I want to stay at this location, I pretty much have to stay in my curent position.