Here's my career situation...
Work for DLA Finance (Dept of Defense/Govt) and we are of course looking at 14 unpaid days with possible RIFs in FY14. I have a CPA with 2 full years at a CPA firm, 3 busy seasons PT tax prep work on the side while working at DOD and now I have a small tax prep practice. I also have 9 years with the Federal Government- 3 at DLA and 6 at IRS. With 2 wars winding down and massive budget cuts, would it be worth it for me to leave? Mind you I am currently a GS 11/Step 2 which is $63,602 per year which may/may not be beat in the private sector, but I now have a CPA with experience. Also the tax prep practice is minimal and basically to keep experience going and CPEs. Promotion opps where I am are bleak and my CPA is basically shelved, but again as many of my relatives have said "it's steady/secure/blah blah blah." With the Sequestration possibly being permanent, I'm at a crossroads and the "Security" aspect is in question now. I've also been let go from a CPA firm in 2009 with a year out of work, but didn't have my CPA passed yet. Till now I was getting comfy, but with this shit going down and the possibility my CPA skills may atrophy I need to make a move soon considering I'm 33 and..... not quite in the best physical shape. Thoughts?