Getting a Networking Job For Dummies

Chapter 10

Serving in the Public Sector or Academia

In This Chapter

• Working in the public sector
• Understanding differences between local and federal agencies
• Holding down the fort in military and defense contracting
• Learning about work in education

Government agencies and educational institutions need experienced networking professionals as much as private industry does. Governments and educational institutions rely as much on information systems as the private industry, and they face the same challenges — primarily, building and managing networks and systems that adequately support key business processes.

Although the principles of networking are similar in any kind of organization, working in government and education is different from work in the private sector. Is it right for you? Only you can decide. In this chapter, you find information to help you make that decision.

Working for a Federal, State, or Local Agency

Agencies at all levels are in need of qualified networking professionals who have many of the same skills sought by the private sector. No matter where you work, your skills and knowledge of networking and information systems can be used to build and manage networks and systems that are vital to the ongoing operation of government agencies at all levels.

Public service

Working in any level of government is frequently referred to as public service. In a public sector job, you serve the public in a professional capacity, providing assistance to your agency in the ...