Letter to the editor

  • Sep 13, 2001

I am referring to the July 26 article titled "IT workforce hurting e-gov."

It is very clear to me the reason the government is losing its edge in the IT arena. I am a good example.

At 42, I went back to college and majored in mathematics and computer science. After receiving my degree, I went to work for the government under the AMC Intern program. In this program, extensive training and funds were spent on me to ensure that I had the necessary technical skills the government needed.

Then I hit the civil service system of promotion. As I did well, I was promoted to a GS-12, project leader, now using less of my technical skills. As privatization progressed, I was made a "manager" of the "doer" — the contractors — and now use none of my technical skills.

At the moment, I am a project manager and not programming at all. May I suggest that you hire managers to manage and allow those who are technical to continue to train and learn so they can keep their edge?

Name withheld upon request

WRITE US

We welcome your comments. To send a letter to the editor, use this form.

Please check out the archive of Letters to the Editor for fellow readers' comments.

Featured

  • Cybersecurity
    Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) at the Hack the Capitol conference Sept. 20, 2018

    NDAA process is now loaded with Solarium cyber amendments

    Much of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's agenda is being pushed into this year's defense authorization process, including its crown jewel idea of a national cyber director.

  • Defense
    DOD photo by Senior Airman Perry Aston 11th Wing Public Affairs

    How DOD's executive exodus could affect tech modernization

    Back-to-back resignations raise concerns about how things will be run without permanent leadership in key areas from policy to tech development.

Stay Connected

FCW INSIDER

Sign up for our newsletter.

I agree to this site's Privacy Policy.