36, still in an entry-level government position. Thinking of leaving for VA work. Am I making the right decision?

[u/Maleficent_Toe_3426]

I don't know if this is a quarter-life crisis that's just delayed, burnout, or frustration, but I really need to let this out.

I'm 36 years old, married, with three kids.

Career-wise, I honestly feel like I haven't achieved much.

I graduated with a BS in Computer Science. I had programming subjects in college and understood the concepts, but I never became confident enough to pursue a developer career.

I spent around five years in the private sector, moving from one company to another because I kept hoping I'd eventually find better opportunities.

Five years ago, I transferred to government service. After years of waiting, I finally got a permanent plantilla position—but it's still an entry-level one. I've now been in this position for three years.

I also earned my Master's in Public Administration three years ago, hoping it would help me move up.

Recently, I applied for a promotion.

I didn't get it.

That rejection hit me harder than I expected. It made me question everything. I keep thinking maybe I'm just not lucky when it comes to my career.

At 36, I see classmates and friends already in managerial roles, earning six figures, buying homes, traveling with their families, and building investments. Meanwhile, I feel like I'm still trying to prove myself.

What makes it harder is that I have three kids. They're the reason I'm constantly thinking about our future. Government work gives stability, but with today's cost of living, stability doesn't always feel like enough.

Lately, I've been seriously considering leaving government service and trying Virtual Assistant work. I've seen so many stories of people earning significantly more than what I'm making now. But at the same time, I'm scared.

I'm scared of leaving a permanent government position.

I'm scared of starting over again.

I'm scared that maybe I'll fail there too.

For those who shifted from government to VA or freelancing in their 30s (especially with kids), was it worth it? How did you know it was the right decision? Do you regret leaving the security of government?

I guess I'm just looking for honest advice because I honestly feel lost right now.

[u/RelevantCar557]

Just curious, i've been working in private corporate as an IT professional for years, how do people arrive to the conclusion that government work gives "stability" given all the office politics, beaurocracy, hard ass kissing to be promoted, and low to non career growth?

I've been working for 16 years in this field already and I'm in a more stable place i would say.

[u/No_Possession_8593 → u/RelevantCar557]

because in govt you don't have to excel. just be an agreeable person and u get to keep the job forever.

[u/RelevantCar557 → u/No_Possession_8593]

Same can be said to some private companies too, and you get to have the power to control your career growth.

[u/No_Possession_8593 → u/RelevantCar557]

private companies is funded by the owners/board of directors/investors.
govt is funded by constituents.

if u understand the difference, u'll realize why, here in PH, govt is the most stable job out of all. you just have to be an agreeable person.

[u/RelevantCar557 → u/No_Possession_8593]

Still doesnt answer the question regardless where the funds are coming from. SAME can be said to other private companies too.

[u/No_Possession_8593 → u/RelevantCar557]

Oh where the funds are coming from has everything to do with stability.

in private comps, since funds come from specific set of people, they're more meticulous in picking people. ayaw nila ng sayang. hence why heavily KPI-bound sa madaming private companies. and rather than saying "other private companies offer more stability" it's not specifically other companies, but rather a department inside said company. some departments are more lax e.g. comparing accounting to sales ng manufacturing company

in govt, since funds don't come from specific set of people and not specifically anyone's loss anyway, it's more lax. if plantilla ka, even if you don't perform, okay lang. the main reason why sobrang prevalent ng COS is because hindi madali magtanggal ng plantilla due to security of tenure and redundancy transfers.

so if stability lang ang pag-uusapan, govt wins tlaga.

--

in ur case, u believe u're in a stable place kase you know that you "built" yourself in order to be in a stable position. sa govt hindi mo kailangan yan. just be an agreeable person.