[Noah930]

That may very well be true. I was also thinking of the pension benefits. I know it seems far-fetched to think about those things in your 20s. But the job security that comes with a government job, backed with comparatively generous pension benefits that are practically guaranteed (because your employer is the government) is something that becomes increasingly attractive with age. It's nice to be able to think about retirement in your 40s and 50s. In the private sector, you can be left working 'til the day you die (and not out of choice).