U.S. General Services Administration
A legacy of 55 years in federal service
Jan Worthy
Procurement Analyst
Acquisition Division
45 years at GSA
Jan Worthy, a GSA Procurement Analyst, recently reached an extraordinary milestone - 55 years of dedicated service. Achieving such longevity in one’s career is rare and definitely deserving of recognition and celebration.
Worthy’s journey in federal service began during a pivotal period in history. In 1968, amidst the Vietnam War, she enlisted in the military right after high school. Reflecting on those times, Worthy highlights the disparities in treatment between civilian and military personnel, particularly for women. Despite her ambition to serve as a nurse in Vietnam, she couldn’t because she didn’t have a college degree. Moreover, gender norms at the time restricted women from pursuing certain roles, leaving them with limited career options.
During her five and a half years in the military, Worthy had diverse experiences, being stationed in various locations like Colorado, Florida, Texas, and the Philippines. She had a variety of tasks, from handling important personnel files to keeping track of survival training records. This training involved learning how to survive in water and cope with high altitudes, and she participated in it herself.
Transitioning to civilian federal service, Worthy began her career with the Federal Highway Administration before joining GSA’s Public Buildings Service in 1979, a remarkable 45 years ago. Recalling the early days, Worthy reminisces about a time when security measures were less stringent, and typewriters were the primary tool for typing specifications. Despite the evolving nature of her work environment, characterized by organizational changes, system updates, and workspace renovations, Worthy notes a significant shift towards a greater emphasis on organizational culture.
Even in her sixties, Worthy pursued further education while juggling full-time work at GSA and a part-time job. Throughout her career, she found satisfaction in testing and providing feedback on acquisition systems and she is appreciated for her willingness and desire to help others to get their job done. Recognizing the complexities of policy navigation as the biggest challenge in her role, Worthy offers valuable advice to newcomers in the contracting field, stressing the importance of understanding evolving policies and developing Individual Development Plans for professional growth.
As Jan Worthy celebrates her remarkable 55-year career milestone, her journey stands as a testament to perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to excellence in federal service.