Public service is an opportunity to do something meaningful and to contribute to a greater good. It’s for do-gooders who want to make a difference, whether by addressing poverty and discrimination, supporting education, working on international affairs, or protecting people’s health and safety. This career path can lead to roles in a wide range of government agencies.

For instance, a person may start a job as an aide to a member of Congress or a mayor; he or she could then move into local government and work on community development, budgeting or other support functions. A person may also work as a policymaker, influencing policy and helping to develop services. There are also more specialized jobs, such as a fundraiser who focuses on institutional grants or a person who asks donors to include a nonprofit in their will (planned giving).

No matter what kind of job a person holds in the field of public service, he or she must be able to communicate effectively and be able to handle fast-paced and changing situations. There are also physical and mental demands in some careers, such as law enforcement and firefighting, which require a strong work ethic and an ability to deal with stress. All of these professionals must maintain high ethical standards, and many have taken an oath to serve the public interest and set aside personal interests when making decisions. These ethical commitments ensure that the public trusts that what they do is fair and impartial.