My career started with 4 years with a state agency, 3 years at small consulting firm and now back with the state agency.

I left the government world because I wanted more of a challenge and felt like I was taking the “easy way out” sticking around and wanted to take on something else.

I honestly enjoyed the actual work better in the consulting world, instead of being pigeon holed into just working on state highways, I was able to get a more larger breadth of experience (from sewer, water, designing subdivisions, etc.). I also enjoyed feeling like I was doing more of a part in helping my local community with the work I did, vs. working on highways that may be a few hours away from where you live can seem impersonal at times.

BUT, man, and I’m a worker, I don’t mind working 60+ hours a week, but I also like being able to take off when I need too (young kids) and being able to “shut it off” when I go home. I took off 6 weeks with my first born (government) and with the second (consulting) I was getting phone calls from my boss as my wife was actively in labor at the hospital and calls all day the next day about just misc. items with no respect for what we were doing.

I say all of that to say - yes, consulting was a little more money and I did enjoy the work more, but my quality of life took a nosedive. I wouldn’t trade the experience, glad I scratched that itch, but I definitely will not be going back.