<p>Hello all! I'm currently doing an internship in the public sector. So far, my experience has been pretty crappy. I'm an outgoing kind of person, and it seems like everyone here just wants to put in their 8 hours and get the hell out. I walk around with a smile because that's just who I am, but it seems like some people resent me for it. The engineers in the office are very dull, never seem to make eye contact, and lack people skills. They are also pretty rude. The inspectors aren't much better. I get the feeling they don't like me much, although I feel I do a great job. I don't think it has anything to do with my performance, but probably personality. Out of 15 people in the office, I talk to just 3-one being the receptionist and the 2nd is the other intern! Is this the kind of environment I have to look forward to once I graduate? I only have a 6 weeks left as an intern here and I am literally counting down the days :(</p>
<p>Office culture is a huge thing at any job. I know when I was looking at labs to join for grad school there were some where people sat in their office all day only venturing into the lab to run a few quick experiments, then retreating back to their computer and not talking to anyone. I joined a lab where I noticed they had a stereo that played music for everyone to listen to, nobody was wearing headphones, and everyone I met during my tour was friendly and willing to talk with me about what they were doing.</p>
<p>My girlfriend had a similar experience while hunting for jobs. At one place, the people were very reserved and seemed unwilling to talk to potential new hires, while at some others she'd get invited to talk with tons of different people to interview for positions she hadn't even come there for because word got around she was a good prospect.</p>
<p>I think you tend to find that more often in the public sector than the private sector. I doubt they have anything against you; it's just the way they are. It's not this way at every government job, but more often that not, gov't employees are just working towards retirement. </p>
<p>Why does this happen? People got complacent. Nobody's worried about getting fired. When I used to work for a state agency, I was pretty much guaranteed a job for life if I got through a one year probationary period. The only way I would get fired was if I screwed up majorly, and that's hard to do given the mindset of most government employees. What's the mindset? Cover your own ass! Don't take risks. Make sure everything you do is documented so nobody can place the blame on you. </p>
<p>This may not be true everywhere, but that's been my experience.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply guys. I agree with you about most working towards retirement. Now, the job itself isn't bad at all, it's mainly the woman that I've been assigned to for the summer. She's not an engineer, but an engineering tech. I've never met anyone that just talks about people for no reason! She'll be buddy-buddy with contractors, and 5 min later she's in the car telling me how stupid they are. Same goes for the people in the office whom she's worked with for more than 15 years! I know she talks about me behind my back, and that's fine. I try and keep her at a distance. She's 58 and is constantly talking about retiring. I dread going there, but the pay is awesome for a poor college kid. I literally have my rent paid through March of next year because of this job, and I still have over a month left to work. I am so grateful for this opportunity, I just wish I could avoid her. If they invite me back next summer I'll pray that I get assigned to someone else! Guess I better get used to dealing with A-holes...I'm sure there will be plenty more of them along the way :) Thanks guys, I just needed to vent</p>
<p>Well, if you get to talk to someone that's not your current boss and you're offered another position, you should specify that you don't want to work with that lady again.</p>
<p>Also, how much better is the pay than you'd get at other jobs? Most people I know got pretty consistent job offers between companies, usually the difference is just adjustments for location and living expenses.</p>
<p>Well, I'm only a Sophomore in engineering and they're paying me $17 an hour, plus I get about 10-15 hrs of overtime per week. They pay also goes up every year you're there. With the economy the way it is I'm not sure the generous amount of new internships are going to be available this year like they have been in recent years. I do want to talk with the manager of the department about her behavior and attitude, and voice my reasons for not wanting to work with her, but the office is so small I know word would get around some how. That would surely make things worse than they are now!</p>
<p>Are they also covering housing and relocation expenses for the summer with that salary? It's pretty good for a sophomore, but I don't think it's unreasonable to find better for the summer after your junior year. Especially since companies like juniors a lot more than they like sophomores, so you'd get a leg up in applications next year.</p>
<p>Well I'm living at home for the summer and the job is only 20 minutes away, so there wasn't any need for relocation and things like that. I will surely keep an eye out for other opporunities during the school year. Thank you so much for your input :)</p>
<p>Welcome to the public sector. Most government jobs have a well deserved reputation for being 8 and out (there are exceptions, but if you're with the DOT or something it's just where Engineers go to die.) Go try something where the people there actually have to make a profit. It's different.</p>
<p>Sounds awful. =/
At least you know you won't want to work there when you graduate!</p>
<p>I did an internship in the public sector and the work environment was wonderful. The lab worked hard to build community. I guess it depends on where you go!</p>