Symoné Berry, a 31-year-old government contractor living in Atlanta, has earned over $225,000 annually working as an overseas US government tech contractor. She has shared her experiences of living and working in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Berry’s journey in government contracting began at a young age, inspired by stories her mother shared about overseas government contractors. She pursued a career in government tech, earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in math. After college, she received seven job offers and began her career at Raytheon, a defense contractor, before transitioning to overseas positions.
While living in Japan, Berry worked as a radar systems engineer and made $140,000 a year, with all living expenses and food paid for. She monitored radar systems 24/7 and dealt with the challenge of working in a snowy climate, which she found to be a tough experience.
In Taiwan, Berry took on the role of a senior testing engineer, earning over $225,000 annually. Her schedule was demanding, working 92 hours a week initially, but she negotiated for a better work-life balance, including taking a full week off every month. She also received a quarterly “rest and relaxation” pay to compensate for the long hours.
Berry’s overseas work experience in South Korea as a senior system administrator was more favorable, with a comfortable living situation and a better work-life balance.
While Berry found this career path to be rewarding, she acknowledges that it isn’t for everyone. Long hours, remote locations, and the toll of long-distance relationships are some of the downsides to consider. However, this lifestyle has allowed Berry to save money and pursue personal projects, such as starting her own nonprofit organization called GovTech Foundation.
Have you experienced working in a government job overseas? Insider would like to hear from you. Email the reporter at aaltchek@insider.com.
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