NGA or LGU. What is the better career option for a 28 years old?
I’m 28 years old, and despite working in different national government agencies for several years under Contract of Service, I still haven’t been able to land a plantilla position.
I have been unemployed for about a month and a half. Prior to this, I was engaged as a Contract of Service (COS) employee in a national government agency (NGA), but my contract was not renewed as the program I was part of had concluded.
For the past four to five years, I have worked across different NGAs under COS arrangements. I have consistently tried to secure a plantilla position, though without success, and at times I wonder baka hindi talaga para sakin ang government.
Recently, I was contacted by another NGA informing me that I have been hired under a COS arrangement (again), with the necessary papers already in process.
At the same time, while I was unemployed, I tried applying sa LGU namin. Not hired for the plantilla, but was contacted separately by their chief of staff for a 'special job order' under the office of the mayor. During our conversation, they said naman that they are willing to match my current salary for this job order. I am still awaiting their feedback, which I understand may be delayed due to the municipality’s recent state of calamity following the flooding.
The dillema is, I liked the LGU better as the commute is about 5-10mins only, kaya pa nga lakarin if hindi naman nag mamadali. Pero syempre I know there will be difference in work culture, as mas sanay ako working in NGA's. Also, wala parin silang feedback and I understand naman kasi nga nag state of calamity rin si municipality due to the recent flooding.
This leaves me with a dilemma. I am drawn to the LGU opportunity because the commute is only five to ten minutes—walkable even when I am not in a rush. However, I am more accustomed to the work culture of NGAs, and I recognize the prestige that comes with serving in them. The challenge is that the NGA role would require a daily commute of three to four hours round trip.
I find myself torn between the convenience and proximity of the LGU role and the prestige and familiarity of the NGA environment.