CSS Forums - Advice needed about Occupational Groups to choose

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[QUOTE=nathanalgren;977536]Dear as u have mentioned a few things like laidback job, perks, high salary and posting in islamabad etc, i suggest u following occupational groups:

1. FSP
Great salary abroad with perks. No political pressure or depression...
In Pak, FSP officers are posted in Islamabad. Some far off stations in 3rd world have to be endured but again u will live in capitals. Even 3rd world capitals are beautiful like nairobi etc. Check them out on internet.

Many ppl leave dmg and psp. No 1 leaves FSP.

Those who mention negative points of FSP postings dont know the reality of FSP vs services in Pak. In services in Pak, u will spend most of your life in hard areas if u are in PAS or PSP.

2. Military lands and cantonements
Peaceful life with postings in cantonements that are most beautiful parts of Pak. U will have houses comprising in acres, believe me posh residence with servants and a car and perks of military. U will also exercise power and an office job with peaceful environment. However, promotions are slow.

3. Customs
U will get posting in big cities. The job is hectic though.

4. IRS
U can spend your entire life in home district. Job is not very tough. Salary is good.

5. OMG : U will remain in Islamabad. Job is hectic in secratariat.

6. Trade and Commerce.
U can easily get posting in your city and there will be a lot of foreign trainings and postings as commercial attaches in all embassies of Pak abroad.

7. PAAS 8. Railways 9. Information[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Raz;977611]It is totally personal choice. However, keeping in view your specifications (likes and dislikes) following order of groups may give you a general idea in decision making:

1) IRS : Double salary, lesser mobility, no remote postings.
2) Customs: Similar to IRS
3) OMG: Opportunity to stay at Isloo and roam around Fed Sec.
4) PAS: Most attractive group but has negative side of remote area postings.
5) MLCG: Rest and stable
6) FSP: Isloo + Mixture of foreign postings
7) CTG: Urban life, Local Cities and Foreign exposure
8) PAAS: Mobility and roaming around various groups
9) PSP: Powerful but equally stressful
10) Information Group: Emerging group
11) RCTG: May come as attractive group in future
12) Postal : Dumped in competitors.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much for your kind support.

I have decided on the following after a brief discussion with a friend who recently qualified as a CSP and your suggestions:

1. FSP (the salary, the foreign postings)
2. Customs (double salary, I hear they also offer accommodation and car at entry level but was kind of hesitant due to the cases of corruption and political pressure involved)
3. IRS (Double salary)
4. PAAS (mobility across departments, promotions)
5. PAS
6. PSP (put these two on 5 and 6 because I hear the panel grinds people for having these too low down the order; otherwise, I would have totally ignored them).
7. Rail (Accommodation)
8. Postal (Car)
9. CTG (foreign tours)
10. OMG
11. MLCG (postings to posh areas)

Please do comment on the assessment.

[QUOTE=Groovy Huss;977749]Thank you so much for your kind support.

I have decided on the following after a brief discussion with a friend who recently qualified as a CSP and your suggestions:

1. FSP (the salary, the foreign postings)
2. Customs (double salary, I hear they also offer accommodation and car at entry level but was kind of hesitant due to the cases of corruption and political pressure involved)
3. IRS (Double salary)
4. PAAS (mobility across departments, promotions)
5. PAS
6. PSP (put these two on 5 and 6 because I hear the panel grinds people for having these too low down the order; otherwise, I would have totally ignored them).
7. Rail (Accommodation)
8. Postal (Car)
9. CTG (foreign tours)
10. OMG
11. MLCG (postings to posh areas)

Please do comment on the assessment.[/QUOTE]

It is again your own choice, we have mentioned pros and cons of each group. My earlier post was in accordance with your own likes and dislikes which you had mentioned in introductory posts. However, if I had to list down my own choices I would have followed following order:

1) PAS : I prefer administrative group which can touch maximum public service, this group rules.

2) FSP: I have aptitude for foreign affairs, could have played better role.

3) PSP: I don't love it for my own life but I could contribute for society. Had to sacrifice my peace for the peace of others. My friends, relatives would have felt pleasure except me. Public thinks CSS starts and ends at two groups only (PSP and PAS/DMG).

4) OMG: Poor substitute of PAS. Could have felt some flavor of PAS group. Could excel in ministries and could serve some institution in later part of career.

5) PAAS: On no choice basis.

Rest of the groups I would not have included in my list. Reasons for not including them in my list are as under:

IRS, Customs, CTG appear to me as corporate nature groups and don't appeal me as Civil Service groups. I am used to it.

RCTG has little bit attraction in terms of opportunity to deliver in future yet it doesn't compel me to join it as a Civil Service group.

Information group has good market worth but I don't have aptitude for staying sub servant often. Civil service should empower me for decision making instead of serving as a medium/exchange.

Postal has lost its relevance. World has provided better substitutes than postal service. I do not feet its need in this modern age.

MLCG is only a job.

Note: This was my personal preference and may be a biased, emotional, and ill informed analysis. This analysis should not be generalized.

@ Groovy Huss

DEAR GO FOR FOREIGN SERVICE ON THE TOP. It is a dream job. U will have alot of exposure, peace of mind and u will be paid for travelling around the world lol. Who wouldn't want that??

Secondly Customs is a great choice after FSP since u will be posted in provincial capitals and developed cities. Political pressure is rare. However, its a technical job so it will be hectic if u are posted in Karachi. Seizure of drugs and non custom paid imports exports etc.

IRS is very tough job since its more techincal than Customs. Tough being the nature of work. U need to know taxation laws, balance sheets etc. Its all about numbers like PAAS.

I would recommend u MLCG right after or before Customs (depends on ur choice) since its a very peaceful job. Huge bunglows in cantonements and laid back work.

If u choose any of two groups like FSP PCS at top 2, PAS and PSP will automatically become null and void.

REMEMBER EACH GROUP IN CSS IS GREAT BUT choice must be made on basis of aptitude not what people say.

PAS is good for those who have a certain aptitude, if u dont have that and u are posted in Tharparkar as Assistant Commissioner, u will repent all ur life. So, there is no point in glorifying a single group if one is not happy

I appreciate the guidance from you all. Here's the final ranking I am now ready to put up:

1. FSP
2. PCS
3. IRS
4. PAAS
5. CTG
6. MLCG
7. OMG
8. Railway
9. Postal
10. PAS
11. Info
12. PSP

[QUOTE=Raz;977611]It is totally personal choice. However, keeping in view your specifications (likes and dislikes) following order of groups may give you a general idea in decision making:

1) IRS : Double salary, lesser mobility, no remote postings.
2) Customs: Similar to IRS
...[/QUOTE]

Dear Raz

Is it possible to get in touch with you via email? I have a few questions that I hope will help with some consolation from failure in a recent test. My temporary email is in my profile.

Thank you!

Raz,

Sir! I need your help and it is urgent. Kindly let me know how I can contact you?

[QUOTE=Raz;978588]It is again your own choice, we have mentioned pros and cons of each group. My earlier post was in accordance with your own likes and dislikes which you had mentioned in introductory posts. However, if I had to list down my own choices I would have followed following order:

1) PAS : I prefer administrative group which can touch maximum public service, this group rules.

2) FSP: I have aptitude for foreign affairs, could have played better role.

3) PSP: I don't love it for my own life but I could contribute for society. Had to sacrifice my peace for the peace of others. My friends, relatives would have felt pleasure except me. Public thinks CSS starts and ends at two groups only (PSP and PAS/DMG).

4) OMG: Poor substitute of PAS. Could have felt some flavor of PAS group. Could excel in ministries and could serve some institution in later part of career.

5) PAAS: On no choice basis.

Rest of the groups I would not have included in my list. Reasons for not including them in my list are as under:

IRS, Customs, CTG appear to me as corporate nature groups and don't appeal me as Civil Service groups. I am used to it.

RCTG has little bit attraction in terms of opportunity to deliver in future yet it doesn't compel me to join it as a Civil Service group.

Information group has good market worth but I don't have aptitude for staying sub servant often. Civil service should empower me for decision making instead of serving as a medium/exchange.

Postal has lost its relevance. World has provided better substitutes than postal service. I do not feet its need in this modern age.

MLCG is only a job.

Note: This was my personal preference and may be a biased, emotional, and ill informed analysis. This analysis should not be generalized.[/QUOTE]
Sir! I need your help and it is urgent. Kindly let me know how I can help you?

AoA seniors, I wanted a little clarification. So I am aspiring to become a foreign service officer, but one questions disturbs me. Do diplomats have to adopt to a modern and fancy lifestyle which may lead to slight immodesty and deviating from Islamic values? I may sound conservative but the question do concern me. Logical and conclusive answers would be appreciated.

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