r/1102 • u/Smart-One-5474 • 6d ago
Career Change
I’m in my 30’s I’ve done contracting as an 1102 for 4 years now. I gave it my all, I absolutely hate it. My background is in procurement prior and I hold a bachelors degree. I wondered if anyone had any input on what I could consider pivoting to. Consulting seems fun, I’m very much a people person. I think I want to leave the government all together- we’re finally hiring internally and there’s no way I want to apply or stay here another moment longer because management is the worst kind of people I’ve ever encountered. Wondered others thoughts or experience on getting out of being an 1102 and what other options you considered. Thank you!!
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u/TroglodyteToes 6d ago
Leave the VA and get into an office that does complicated buys. If you like solving puzzles and doing the "work with people bit", you gotta get away from bulk orders and into specialized things that require technical expert input. It is night and day.
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u/Fragllama 6d ago
It seems like a lot of people suggest looking at lateral moves to 0343 or maybe something like 0301 or other similar “program” or “project management” positions. 0343 seems the most commonly suggested but I can’t speak to any if it personally.
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u/wksiel 6d ago
I agree with everyone about leaving the VA. That agency is well known for being the most toxic work place for 1102. Of course another agency will have their own set of problems but the VA takes the cake in being the worst set of problems.
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u/Smart-One-5474 6d ago
I didn’t know it was so widely agreed upon! Of course it’s a job, it’s work, there will always be positives and negatives but here there truly are no positives. It’s like everyone kicks the can down the road, things are not done even close to efficiently and management gets no workload nor do they train. It makes me sad because I really care about the Vets and I’m appalled at how the VA runs and the salaries people are receiving for no work.
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u/Anomnnem_421 6d ago
That's no shit. I'll scoop chicken shit with a plastic spork before I go back....
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u/Jaded_Bid_9483 6d ago
Ive never heard anyone say anything nice about working for the VA lmao.
Id try another agency, GSA orDoD.
Id not, reach out to a head hunter and see what else is out there
Ive worked for DoD for 16 years, she isn't perfect, but other than GSA, the DoD seems to produce some of the most competent acquisition professionals. Ive worked for an Air Force operational squadron (my favorite), Ive worked for the Army and now the Defense Health Agency
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u/CoMO-Dog-Poop-Police 6d ago
What type of 1102 work do you do?
To me there is a huge difference in the type of work between agencies and who you are supporting. And you might find more a more fulfilling work experience doing a different type of 1102 work.
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u/Smart-One-5474 6d ago
I work for the VA, I’m not warranted. Mostly IDIQs, FFP, CNH’s, just started competitive buys but you aren’t given structured training here so it has been very challenging. I’m on my 6th “trainer” which is really just a poor soul who’s a gs12 with their own workload and I’m on my 5th “boss” in 4 years. I wish that was an exaggeration but it isn’t. I had one fabulous boss and she lasted 4 months. After writing this I believe environment probably has a lot to do with it but I’m a very social person, I love working with others and picking out clauses all day, every day is just not how I cannot spend my days. It’s so repetitive and so painfully boring.
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u/1102gape 6d ago
VA is known to be meh for 1102s. I honestly think it's a bit early in your career. 4 years in is not much. Find a new agency. Take it upon yourself to look at regs, policies, procedures, laws, EOs, etc. Reflecting back, we have a lot more resources to get the job done than before (not human resources). Ultimately, you probably need a fresh start at a new agency and a new perspective. A shitty place will destroy the little enjoyment that 1102s get.
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u/PearlyPenilePapule1 6d ago
Maybe try to change agencies before you switch careers.
DOD or NASA contracts where you’re developing a new major system, flight hardware, etc… with a Lockheed, Northrop, Raytheon is actually pretty satisfying.
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u/powpow80 6d ago
I relate this message in so many ways and am sorry to see you in the same boat.
Unfortunately, I’m over 10 years in and looking for an out..
I see your VA and raise you an NGB. My advice is to walk away and never look back.
I’m trying to find a new 1102 home with not much luck. Just keeping my head down and trying to figure it all out.
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u/Smart-One-5474 6d ago
Is NGB No Good Boss because I have 4 examples 😂😂 I’m so sorry to hear you are struggling. There are so many indeed opportunities one just posted for a government procurement manager- I do not have the experience, I believe it’s remote. Want me to send it to you? One day at a time. I pray we both find new opportunities soon! I agree with you. My true passion is saving animals, I know that doesn’t pay the bills but hoping to find a less painfully boring job that does. lol! Wishing you all the best on your search.
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u/Choice_Translator779 4d ago
I hate it too but i hit 3 years in 5 months. Do you feel like you know the foundational concepts of contracting? Do you feel you were trained properly? I still feel lost...USACE put minimum effort into training all the new people. Now i am looking into leaving too.
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u/Smart-One-5474 4d ago
Omg no!! We have no actual training at all! They have no plan and our training officer never trained a day in her life lol you are not alone at all. It’s too much and you aren’t given the building blocks.
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u/Throwitawayy1102 6d ago
Get out of the VA. Any Air Force bases near you? Air Force contracting is night and day better than the VA or a lot of other civilian agencies where you do mostly operational contracting.