Pros
Really good entry level job based on the pay. I wasn't able to find anything in my area for higher pay after just graduating from college. As a contractor, the FSA life is mostly based on the customer and the people you work with. I am fortunate enough to work with great people.
Cons
Unfortunately, one person that gets on a power trip can make your work life terrible. "Technically" contractors have ZERO rights within the government. For example, we can not drive government vehicles (ok I can deal with that), cannot use the gym facility (what?), participate in special events, such as, picnics UNLESS you take leave (you have got to be kidding! We only get 10 days of leave a year as it is), and I am quoting this from a memo - "Contractors are not government employees and should not be treated as such." As other people have stated, there's no such thing as raises and, in a smaller city, no chance for promotion. I have received a couple bonuses but that's all based on the customer going out of their way to contact FSA and fight for you to receive recognition. My biggest issue with FSA has been when the government shutdown occurred. I was furloughed for 2 weeks and did not get paid even though every government employee (furloughed or not) got paid. I was more upset about how they acted like it wasn't a big deal for me to not receive pay for an entire pay period (even though they were paid during the entire shutdown). They even got mad at me when I asked if I could make up the time lost.
