U.S. seeks patriotic computer geeks for help in cyber crisis
ca.news.yahoo.com
ca.news.yahoo.com
The second thing they need to do is pay well. A solid programmer can get high five-figure or low six-figure salary at Google. This is for two reasons. First, the cost of living in the Bay Area is extraordinarily high. Second, and more importantly, solid programmers (not even rockstars, but solid, competent programmers) are valuable. Can the government make offers that are competitive with Google? After all, DC isn't a cheap place to live either.
Somehow, I don't think either of these things will happen, and this will be another bureaucratic turf war where millions of taxpayer dollars will be spent filling out forms and progress reports whilst nothing of substance will actually be achieved.
I wonder though if even a mediocre to weak programmer could be a solid programmer, in the right kind of organization?
From what I've seen of government bureaucracies and the sort of people they attract, I'd be willing to suggest that none of those things (especially (3)) will be generally true of this new organization.
here's the GS pay schedule, for reference: http://www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/html/gs.asp
note how you're not going to crack 6 figures until the end of your GS-14. How long does it take to get to GS-14? somewhere between 5-10 years in service, if you're lucky. if you're not lucky, you might never make it.
why so long? because advancement through grades is entirely based on time in service. there is nothing your management chain, up to the president, can do to pay you more. it would take, literally, an act of congress.
hooray! oh yeah, as a graduate with a CS degree from a good (CMU, MIT, etc) school, you will start as a GS-7 or a GS-9. which is about 40k. 2nd tier tech companies and consulting companies will start you at literally double that. if you are really good, companies like msft and amazon will start you at literally TRIPLE that.
so... how is this a choice for anyone? why does the government delude itself that it isn't about the money?
Aside from that, DoHS may not need $80k CMU/MIT grads. There is a whole middle of the pool to draw from that didn't go to CMU/MIT. They probably don't intend to develop the next SELinux as much as apply existing technology in an intelligent way.
even if you go to a crappy school, if you are a solid programmer or system administrator, you should be able to walk into a tech job out of graduation for no less than $60k. I was able to get an IT job in the private sector with just a HS diploma that made more than ($40k) what new government workers with relevant skills and a 4 year degree were offered/making, and after 6 months at that job I had offers for 50% more (how long would you have to be on the GS scale to see this kind of movement? a lot longer than 6 months).
also, no more pensions for government workers (AFAIK), at least many of them. you do have essentially job permanence though, is that worth only earning 1/3rd of your potential?
the salary thing is initially okay though, cos you were broke in college so whatever, you're still broke. later, when you're 26, making $60 doing computer programming, your friends are 26, making $140 doing computer programming, and your wife looks at you and says "hey so why can Tom and Nancy have children and also live in a house instead of share an apartment with another couple?" ...
sorry :(
I disagree. The best hackers I know HATE working for the gobertment, because they hate working for "the man", or any bureaucratic organization, and gob is the definition of bureaucracy. Being told constantly what to do, no freedom, and stupid political bosses is the main reason, not money.