Careers in government

There has never been a better time to explore career opportunities in government. If you are driven by a desire to help others, you may find it appealing to work for government as what’s commonly called a civil servant. Civil service has its origins in England, where being “in the service of her majesty the queen” was a highly respected, honorable and coveted position. In America, government service has had a decidedly more mixed image, often taking a back seat to the romantic and lucrative appeal of the corporate world. But there are still 23 million people working in more than 40,000 government units, reports the U.S. Department of Labor.

Government employees carry out the work of political leaders who set policy. These policy decisions are often the news of which headlines are made, but little insight is given to those who perform the work that ensures policy implementation. When you get past the obvious government careers, such as public safety officer (police and fire) and librarian, there remains a plethora of lesser-known career fields: water quality chemist, coroner, public information officer, convention manager, disaster preparedness coordinator, civil engineer, urban planner, reprographics technician, public safety dispatcher, code enforcement officer or city attorney.

Consider becoming an accountant, finance director, auditor or investment specialist. You could program software applications for core government operating systems, service scores of desktop computers or become a Webmaster for an agency Internet site brimming with e-applications. Or, write press releases, newsletters, speeches, Web content and annual reports as press spokesperson of civic affairs.

There’s more. Become a museum curator, go into forestry management, be a forensic crime lab technician, a zoologist, an air controller, a weights and management engineer, a probation officer or a psychiatric nurse at a county hospital. The list of government-related careers available is limited only by your imagination. From city manager or county executive to utility repair person or crossing guard, governments provide opportunities for you to pursue any career you desire.

But why would you choose a government career versus one in the private sector? Government employees typically receive fair salaries, fringe benefits, job security, selection and promotion processes that are merit-based and ample opportunities to advance or relocate. And, you’ll get to help others and make a difference in your country, state or home community.

Mark F. Weinberg is chief operating officer of CareersInGovernment.com. Discover even more job opportunities at www.careersingovernment.com.

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