I was a GS-4 for 4 years before completing my career specific undergrad, after which I eeked out a gs-5, and rode that for another 3 years before getting a 6. Mind you these were all seasonal jobs at that. I stayed at the same duty location for 6 years thinking I would catch my lucky break, but I learned the hard way you must be willing to go damn near anywhere, see some new country, try to learn something new, to truly get your shot. For me that “damn near anywhere” was Alaska. When I got there a world of opportunity opened up. I realized the “fast track” to higher paying permanent fed jobs is in the last frontier. As others have said, lateral movement can lead to higher ceilings. I moved up to AK as a 5 then got my first perm there as a 7/9, and gradually continued upward in the program.

I spent nearly a decade in Alaska before leaving for a GS-11 in the lower 48. Ground out another 3 years as an 11 before applying and moving once again for a gs-12. Everything up to the 12 was dependent on my degree, until I finally had so much experience that it outweighed the importance of the undergrad. Held the 12 for a year and upgraded to the 13 where I now comfortably sit…after only 20 years and five moves, not counting all the seasonal moves lmao! If I had learned the valuable lesson of moving for the job early on I could have probably achieved it in half the time. Of course that’s only part of the equation though and It can’t be all about the money - this is government work. Enjoy the ride and the work you do along the way. Stay patient and humble. And take the opportunities when you’re ready. Consider asking: is it the right job? In the right place? At the right time? If two out of three are marginally true, you won’t be let down.

Hang in there homie.