Private to Public and Back Again

These days I often think of myself a dinosaur because I’ve been in parking so long - and sometimes I wax philosophical about where this crazy profession has taken me.  Since leaving the public side and going to the private side, a lot of people on both sides of the fence have asked me about it.  

The short answer is that I started on the private side and got tired of the corporate shenanigans so I went to the public side, got tired of the public shenanigans and went back to the private shenanigans.  

Each of the decisions was right for me at the time and I’m very grateful for the really rich experience I’ve gained along the way - but there are some significant pros and cons to each and I’ll try to lay some of them out in this blog.  If you’re considering making a jump to one or the other, maybe this will offer some small insight.

Private

If you’re on the private side, you can move up, move around, sideways and everywhere in every sense of the word.  You can learn from different companies, different bosses and in different places.  If a particular company or culture doesn’t suit you, it is easy to change and find something new.  Private companies tend to be more flexible and corporate culture is fairly permissive in general, so in a good environment, you can be yourself and find joy in going to work every day.

On the other hand, private companies are motivated by profits and corporate politics can be oppressive at times.  Decisions based on profits often don’t align with community or employee well being and it can be difficult to reconcile.  You will need to be resilient.  There is sometimes favoritism and less savory problems such as misogyny, racism and other forms of discrimination that can be very subtle.  And lastly, job security is fleeting, subject to management decisions, economic conditions and shifting priorities.

Public

Public service is deeply fulfilling; it is a calling for those who want to make a difference in their communities.  What you do makes people’s lives better and you leave work every day with a deep sense of purpose.  Decisions are made not based on profit but on what will help the community grow and thrive.  Benefits and job security are unmatched.  These jobs come with a pension, excellent healthcare, generous leave and it is nearly impossible to lose one.

As for the negative, it is sometimes thankless work.  In the court of public opinion, parking is frequently vilified and it can be wearing over time.  Because jobs are so secure, you’ll find yourself working against or around people who care only for their own agenda or don’t care at all.  There are tons of rules, regulations and processes in place that make things move at a glacial pace, even once you’ve figured out how to navigate them all.  Public agencies don’t operate like businesses and are focused on expenses which means it is often difficult to increase expenses regardless of any additional revenue that is generated.

So if you’re looking to jump one way or the other, consider carefully - each choice can be deeply rewarding and equally frustrating.