Mary
Economist

I studied economics, and along with economics, I minored in business. So I took 
a few accounting courses, and so the accounting set me up for a Tax Compliance 
Officer position. And spending two years with the IRS as a Tax Compliance 
Officer, I felt I needed a change. And the IRS is such a great organization, 
which allows for lateral movements, you know, or promotions.

They have a program which offers economic assistance for people who wish to 
continue their education. I'm an investment for the IRS, and you feel a 
sense of... I would say, loyalty to the IRS after that. And you 
don't -- you don't want to leave after that,  after they've invested 
so much in you and believe in you.

You can move into another part within the organization. People who I've 
known through college who went through the same program as me, they're 
working in the private sector and I talk to them, you know, a few months 
later, and they're working for another company.

You know, they tend to not stay in one place, because -- I feel that 
they're looking for that match in an organization, which is more 
difficult to find in the private sector, whereas in the government,
I started working for the IRS, and you feel this is what's right for 
you, this is your match, a fit.