3.12 Public Service Careers

One way to support democracy and the public good is through your career. A career is the long-term pursuit of work in a particular field or profession, often involving ongoing learning, skill development, and advancement. Unlike a job, which may be short-term or focused on immediate income, a career reflects a person’s broader goals, interests, and commitment to a chosen line of work.

A public service career is work focused on helping people and improving the well-being of a community. It can be in government, nonprofit organizations, or other roles that put the public good ahead of personal profit.

Government jobs are quintessential public service.

These jobs can provide strong salaries and benefits, but money should not be the only factor in your decision. You should also think about whether you have what scholars call a public service motivation. Public service motivation means being drawn to work that benefits others and society. People with this motivation often show three main traits. First, they like to be part of making policies and speaking up for important causes. Second, they feel a responsibility to help others and serve their community or country. Third, they believe public programs matter and want to support them so people’s lives can be better.

If you enjoy solving problems in your community and want your work to improve people’s daily lives, a public service career may be a good fit for you.

There are many opportunities in state and local government. Working in these settings allows you to influence policies and programs that directly affect residents. Careers can be found in local government such as city managers, budget directors, city planners, and in public safety. At the state level, you can find careers such as budget analysts who manage state spending, human resource specialists who oversee hiring and employee development, and policy analysts who study issues and recommend solutions. Plus, there are many more opportunities across a range of other topics, including running for office yourself.

Reference

Perry, James L., and Lois Recascino Wise. 1990. “The Motivational Bases of Public Service.” Public Administration Review 50 (3): 367–373.