Is Military/Government/Technical a Good Career Path : Pros, Cons and Opportunities Explained

Careers in the military, government, and technology have always been in demand. However, in recent years, the demand for professionals in these sectors has increased, as has the desire to work in these sectors.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or you’ve been in the workforce for a while and you’re looking to make a career change, you might be considering a job in the military, government, or technology.

Given the instability of the economy, job opportunities in many fields have sharply declined. Because the demand for employment in the military, government, and technical sectors is increasing, a job in any of these fields can offer stability and can also be very rewarding.

Before you proceed with seeking employment in one of these fields, however, it’s a good idea to determine if doing so would be worth your while. Below, we highlight some key information about careers in these fields.

This includes the different opportunities that are available in these sectors, the requirements that are necessary to work in these fields, and the advantages and disadvantages of a career in these sectors, to help you determine if military-, government-, or technology-related jobs would be a worthwhile career.

Military/Government/Technical Careers Defined

Jobs that are related to the military or government are military/government/technical careers. Professionals who work in these fields are often considered “technical employees” as these jobs can involve work that is related to science, engineering, and technology.

There are a variety of career opportunities in the government, military, and technical sectors. Examples include:

• Combat engineers
• Engineers
• Drone pilots
• Military IT specialists
• Civil economists
• Military intelligence analysts
• Political consultants
• Governor
• Military police officers
• Legislative consultants

What Are The Qualifications To Obtain a Career In The Military, Government, or Technology Fields?

The qualifications that are required for working in the military, government, or technology fields vary widely and depend on the specific sector, as well as the specialization.

This means that responsibilities will vary, and so will the requirements that are necessary to obtain a career in these fields. It’s important to find out the qualifications for the specific position that you will be seeking to fill.

With that said, there are some basic qualifications that are often required in order to obtain a career in the military, government, or technology fields. Namely, obtaining a college degree in one or more of the following fields of study:

• Aviation
• Finance
• Strategic intelligence
• Psychology
• Criminal justice
• Business administration
• Information technology (IT)

In addition to obtaining a degree, you may also need to have hands-on experience in the particular sector that you are interested in working for. It is for this reason that finding out the requirements for the field that you would like to work in is essential.

In order to obtain a career in one of these fields, the following are some of the skills that you may be expected to possess:

• Strong leadership skills
• Expertise in technology
• Efficient decision-making skills
• The ability to work with a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Persistence
• Strong physical fitness
• The ability to be flexible and adaptable
• Great interpersonal skills

What Is The Average Income in Military/Government/Technology?

Just like the requirements to obtain a job in these fields vary, so does the income. This is because there is such a wide variety of jobs in these fields, and the responsibilities for different positions vary.

There are several factors that will determine how much money can be earned in these industries, such as the specific job, the responsibilities of that job, and your experience level.

To illustrate the varied income potential in the fields of military, government, and technology, The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that the average annual salary for an engineering technician can fall between about $42,800 and approximately $64,200.

Professionals who work in positions that are related to science and technology can earn as much as $92,000 per year.

What Are The Highest Paying Military/Government/Technical Careers?

There are several positions within the military/government/technical sector that are very lucrative.

The following are some of the top-paying jobs in this field.

• Criminal investigator. Also known as a private investigator or a detective, a criminal investigator specializes in gathering details and evidence related to different cases – often criminal. They assess this information with the intention of speeding up the rate of time that the cases are solved. Additionally, private investigators collect details and study facts that are used in criminal court proceedings. Moreover, detectives work with law enforcement officials, corporations, and private individuals to assess and resolve cases in order to achieve a successful conviction. The average annual income for a criminal investigator is $73,761.
• Border patrol agent. Border patrol agents are government officials who work with the US federal government under the United States Customs and Border Agency (CBP). These professionals assess the country’s borders with Canada and Mexico, as well as along the coastline between Florida and Puerto Rico. They look for potential criminal activity and handle any activity that is spotted accordingly. In short, border patrol agents protect the land borders of the United States from invasion. The average annual salary for a border patrol agent is about $60,000, though it could be as high as $300,000 or more.
• Command and control center officers. Command and control center officers are vital members of the army. They play the key role of assisting the command chain. They do this by managing communication and identifying systems and weaponry that are computer-powered and execute military-related operations in the air, on the sea, and on the ground. The average annual salary for a command and control center officer is roughly $51,000, though salaries could exceed $100,000.

Is The Career Outlook In The Military, Government, and Technical Sectors Good?

As discussed, there has been a sharp increase in the demand for employees in the military, government, and technical fields. At the time of writing, there were ample job opportunities, and employment opportunities are projected to increase over the next 10 years.

While job prospects are good in the military, government, and technical fields, and though it is expected that the number of employment opportunities in these sectors will continue to grow, opportunities vary and depend on the specific profession.

In the coming years, there will be an increased demand in the following areas:

• Public health research
• Scientific-related research
• Information technology
• Information security
• Border security
• Financial services
• Law enforcement

While all agencies, organizations, and entities that fall under the military, government, and technology umbrella are expected to experience growth. Job opportunities are projected to grow across the entire sector, with the biggest opportunity for growth and employment being in the Navy and the Army Special Forces.

Pros and Cons Of a Military/Government/Technical Career

As with any career path, working in the military, government, or technology sectors offers both advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to be aware of these pros and cons so that you can determine whether seeking a career in these fields would be worth your while.

Advantages of Working In The Military/Government/Technology

• Job stability. As discussed, the military, government, and technology sectors are expected to see significant growth in the coming years. The opportunities for employment do vary and depend on the specialization; however, in general, job stability in these fields looks promising into the foreseeable future.
• Variety. There are a wide variety of jobs that fall under the military/government/technology umbrella. These jobs can range from serving as political figures to performing medical research, and from piloting Navy planes to managing information technology systems. Because there are so many jobs that fall under this category, the employment opportunities that are available in this field vary widely.
• Good salary. Salaries for professionals who work in the military, government, or technology fields can expect to make a decent income. The income that one can expect to earn, however, does depend on several factors, including the specific area of specialization, as some professions can pay significantly more than others. With that said, however, overall, the average annual salary in the military, government, and technical sectors is good. Additionally, there are opportunities for growth and increases in income.
• Benefits. The military, government, and technology sectors are known for offering great benefits packages. These benefits can include health insurance, retirement accounts, 401(k), and even payment for a college degree. The specific benefits that are offered also vary and depend on the particular field that an individual specializes in; however, overall, careers in this sector do offer good benefits packages to those they employ.
• Travel. Another major perk of working in the military, government, and technology sectors is that you may have the opportunity to travel. Many of the positions that fall under this umbrella are located in different geographic locations. Employees are expected to travel to those geographic locations to fulfill their job responsibilities, and the cost of travel is paid for. As such, there is a great opportunity to see many different locations in the world, depending on the specific job that you are seeking, and this opportunity to travel is very appealing to many.
• Housing opportunities. Just like there may be opportunities to travel, there are also housing opportunities in the military, government, and technical sectors. Military housing is often provided for members of the military, and the same is true for those who work for the government. Many individuals see the opportunity to have their housing expenses paid for as a major benefit.

Disadvantages of Working In The Military/Government/Technology

• High stress. High stress levels can be associated with a lot of the jobs that fall under the military, government, and technology umbrella. The job responsibilities for many positions are very demanding and are even high-stakes, which can result in heightened stress levels. Furthermore, some positions require individuals to be apart from their families for prolonged periods of time, which can further add to the stress of a career in the military, government, or technology sectors.
• Risks. There are certain risks that are associated with some military, government, and technology careers. These risks vary in severity, but in some cases, they can be life-threatening. For example, those who serve in the military can potentially suffer serious injuries and can even lose their life in the event that they have to serve in combat.

Conclusion

Is military/government/technology a good career path? Given the growth of this sector and the number of employment opportunities that are expected, combined with the high-income potential and a myriad of other benefits, we would say that, yes, working in the military, government, or technology field can be a good career path.

However, it is important to keep in mind your individual preferences and needs when determining if pursuing a career in this sector would be worth your while.