2 answers
Raven
Student
Ontario, Oregon
7
Questions
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When in a Specialized career like doing research for the government under a specific category will you receive orders and directions or will you just work on your own?
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2 answers
Sylvia Hughes
Product Manager
8
Answers
Plano, Texas
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
My simple answer is YES. Unless you are self-funded, the person or group or organization that provides funding will typically have requirements and objectives tied to that funding. There will be a person responsible for ensuring those requirements are met and there will be processes in place to provide structure and means to measure adherence to those processes. There may be a hierarchy or chain of command of teams that work on parts of the objectives. Entry level folks with the least amount of knowledge and experience may receive close supervision and direction. This helps build the entry level person's knowledge and experience with the goal that they will eventually be promoted to the next level of responsibility. Each level up affords you more responsibility and autonomy but you may also have to lead others to help you complete work. Teamwork and people skills will always be important--regardless of the job--and is extremely influential in reaching objectives that are often larger than ourselves. Certain jobs can only be done by one person but eventually even those jobs may require collaboration or coordination with peers, clients or experts to validate, test or retest our output. People skills can be learned so don't worry if it's not your specialty. Watch, listen and learn how others interact, which interactions are most successful and why. Often times, our best strength is listening, asking questions to broaden our understanding of our client, peer or boss, and then delivering on our commitments. Best of luck!
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1750
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Raven,
There is no simple answer to this question! There are many variables. Generally speaking, when you first start out, they keep a closer eye on you, to make sure you don't go too far off from what the original assignment was, and, that you will have it done by deadline. After they come to know the quality of your work, they give you more latitude. That is, generally speaking. Some managers are micro-managers. Then, there is the opposite extreme. They tell you to do something, but don't bother giving you the preliminary research they already completed, so you waste your time "re-inventing the wheel."
Another thing to watch out for, sadly, is when "they" already know what they want to do, and want you to write up something to justify their decision. An example: The city wanted to abolish the police department at the airport, and have it replaced by the city police department. They commissioned an "independent" study. The results basically said "the officers are doing a good job, in spite of a bad management team. We recommend abolishing the dept." (as opposed to cleaning out the mgt team!)
Let me give you an example of going astray from the regular assignment. I was part of a team that was working on various pay and benefit proposals through the police association. Another officer and I were working on justification for an increase in hourly pay. We asked two other officers to work on the justification for Step Pay. The city had already told us they would consider step pay (Officer I, Officer II, Officer III), so long as it was NOT tied to length of time in service. The City wanted it to be given to the better performing officers. When it came time to present the proposal, the other two officers had based their proposal on length of time in service!!! Obviously, it was turned down.
It's nice when people recognize your ability, give you room to do your own thing, and respect your opinions. Even if you manage to find your way into a position where that's the case, understand that people don't stay in one job anymore like they used to. So, just when everything gets going great, someone leaves, and the dynamics change. You may find yourself having to "prove" yourself all over again - either to a new supervisor at the current job, or, at a new job!
You will want to network along the way, and keep your resume current.
I hope you don't mind the honesty. I have no idea what it is like in the private sector. I worked in two different government agencies (city and state), and honestly, was never impressed. I have heard the federal government is better.
Hope this helps!
Kim
There is no simple answer to this question! There are many variables. Generally speaking, when you first start out, they keep a closer eye on you, to make sure you don't go too far off from what the original assignment was, and, that you will have it done by deadline. After they come to know the quality of your work, they give you more latitude. That is, generally speaking. Some managers are micro-managers. Then, there is the opposite extreme. They tell you to do something, but don't bother giving you the preliminary research they already completed, so you waste your time "re-inventing the wheel."
Another thing to watch out for, sadly, is when "they" already know what they want to do, and want you to write up something to justify their decision. An example: The city wanted to abolish the police department at the airport, and have it replaced by the city police department. They commissioned an "independent" study. The results basically said "the officers are doing a good job, in spite of a bad management team. We recommend abolishing the dept." (as opposed to cleaning out the mgt team!)
Let me give you an example of going astray from the regular assignment. I was part of a team that was working on various pay and benefit proposals through the police association. Another officer and I were working on justification for an increase in hourly pay. We asked two other officers to work on the justification for Step Pay. The city had already told us they would consider step pay (Officer I, Officer II, Officer III), so long as it was NOT tied to length of time in service. The City wanted it to be given to the better performing officers. When it came time to present the proposal, the other two officers had based their proposal on length of time in service!!! Obviously, it was turned down.
It's nice when people recognize your ability, give you room to do your own thing, and respect your opinions. Even if you manage to find your way into a position where that's the case, understand that people don't stay in one job anymore like they used to. So, just when everything gets going great, someone leaves, and the dynamics change. You may find yourself having to "prove" yourself all over again - either to a new supervisor at the current job, or, at a new job!
You will want to network along the way, and keep your resume current.
I hope you don't mind the honesty. I have no idea what it is like in the private sector. I worked in two different government agencies (city and state), and honestly, was never impressed. I have heard the federal government is better.
Hope this helps!
Kim