Public Administration

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Sub-Area:

• City Management
• Financial Administration
• Budget Analysis
• General Services
• Community Affairs
• Social Services
• Urban Planning

Employers:

• Counties
• Municipalities
• Townships
• School districts
• Special districts

Strategies & Information:

• Learn local government job application procedures.
• Develop a network of contacts.
• Check statistics on growing communities for best opportunities.
• Gain relevant experience through an internship or volunteer position.
• Conduct applicable research that could be useful to your community.
• Get involved in community organizations and events.

Sub-Area:

• Administrative Services
• Legislature
• Judicial

Employers:

• Various departments of state government
• Legislative agencies including:
  • Legislative Reference Services, Bill Drafting Services, Legislative Councils and Budgeting and Auditing staffs
• State Supreme Courts
• Personal staff of legislators
• Intermediate Appellate Courts
• Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction
• Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction

Strategies & Information:

• Research the organization of your state government.
• Develop specialized skills and interests for particular populations or issues, e.g. disability, education, homelessness, etc.
• Develop strong research and writing skills.
• Make political contacts through local legislators of both houses.
• Volunteer to work on political campaigns.
• Make contacts through referrals and informational interviews.
• Plan to earn a law degree to qualify for some opportunities.

Sub-Area:

• Professional
• Administrative
• Technical

Employers:

• Various federal departments and agencies

Strategies & Information:

• Obtain an internship in a federal agency or department. Often this is the best way to get a foot in the door for a permanent position.
• Learn federal job application procedures and how to write a federal resume including your KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilitites).
• Research various agencies and departments to discover which ones may be the best fit for your major and experience.
• Conduct informational interviews with government employees.

Sub-Area:

• Legislative Agencies
• Legislature
  • Administrative Staff
    • Washington-based
    • Home District
    • Committee

Employers:

• Various agencies including:
  • General Accounting Office, Library of Congress, Government Printing Office, Congressional Budget Office
• Offices of senators and representatives

Strategies & Information:

• Understand structure of Congress and various opportunities available.
• Develop excellent research, writing, communication and organizational skills.
• Build a strong personal network.
• Explore districts other than your own.

Sub-Area:

Employers:

• Supreme Court
• U.S. Courts
• Supporting organizations

Strategies & Information:

• Some positions require law degree and bar certification.
• Understand the structure and functions of the federal judiciary system.

Sub-Area:

• Office of the President
• Management and Budget
• Administration
• Council of Economic Advisors
• U.S. Trade Representatives
• Executive Departments

Employers:

• Office of the President
• Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor

Strategies & Information:

Sub-Area:

Employers:

• Independent Agencies include the following (not an exhaustive list):
  • Coordination and Public Safety
  • Emergency Response Policy
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • General Services Administration
  • National Archives & Records Administration
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Office of Personnel Management
  • Securities & Exchange Commission
  • Tennessee Valley Authority
  • U.S. Information Agency
  • U.S. International Development Cooperation

Strategies & Information:

• There are a large number of niche areas and specialized agencies within the federal government. Do extensivie research in order to find the area that best matches your skills and interests.
• Take courses or minor in applicable interest area(s).
• Research applicable public service exams and hiring procedures.
• Complete an internship in a related area.
• Maintain a high grade point average to qualify for government employment.
• Consider earning a graduate degree to prepare for the largest number of opportunities.

Sub-Area:

• Administration
• Development
• Program Management
• Policy Analysis
• Research
• Grant Writing

Employers:

• Local and national nonprofit agencies and foundations
• Charitable organizations
• Trade or professional organizations
• Research organizations and think tanks
• Educational institutions

Strategies & Information:

• Participate in internships and/or volunteer activities for related experience.
• Develop strong communication and leadership skills.
• Become a member of relevant organizations and seek leadership roles.
• Develop strong research skills and learn how to write grants.
• Research the organizations' values to find a good fit with yours. It is critical that you are knowledgeable about and care about the work you're going to do.

Sub-Area:

Employers:

• Political Action Committees (PAC)
• Various industrial, educational, and public interest groups
• Political parties
• Lobbying organizations
• Large business firms

Strategies & Information:

• Get involved with a political party/group and develop a personal network. The ability to develop networks, coalitions and alliances with other associations is highly valued.
• Gain experience with government agencies or departments to help build relationships.
• Develop excellent public relations, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Learn how to persuade and negotiate. Participate on a debate team.
• Volunteer in organizations with similar interests and goals.

Sub-Area:

• Human Resources
• Budget Analysis
• Management
• Sales/Marketing
• Management Consulting
• Occuapational Safety Coordination
• Public Relations

Employers:

• Business firms
• Contracting and consulting firms
• Association management firms

Strategies & Information:

• Develop strong analytical, communication and technical skills.
• Obtain related work experience in a business setting through internships and summer or part-time jobs.
• Earn a minor in business.
• Hone computer skills and learn software packages such as databases, spreadsheets and presentations.
• Get involved in student organizations and seek leadership roles.

Sub-Area:

• Healthcare Administration
• Policy Development and Analysis
• Health Delivery Systems

Employers:

• Hospitals
• Healthcare facilities
• Health Maintenance Organizations
• Insurance companies
• Nursing homes
• Social service and community agencies

Strategies & Information:

• Most positions will require graduate degree in public health or hospital administration.
• Complete an internship in a healthcare environment to gain knowledge of the industry.
• Learn to work well with different types of people.

Sub-Area:

• Governance
• Policy Making and Analysis
• Public Sector Reform
• Poverty-Reduction Strategy
• Ethics and Anti-corruption
• Human Rights
• Public Law
• Organization and Management Development
• Resource Development
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Media/Communication Policy and Practice
• Education

Employers:

• Intergovernmental agencies, e.g., World Bank, United Nations
• National governments
• Non-profit agencies
• Policy and research organizations
• Private businesses
• Contracting and consulting firms

Strategies & Information:

• Obtain internships or volunteer in order to gain valuable experience in areas of interest.
• Participate in overseas mission trips or spend a Semester at Sea.
• Become familiar with national or international application procedures.
• Research the history and culture of countries or geographic areas of interest.
• Take steps towards obtaining work or study visas for various locations.
• Become proficient in at least one foreign language.
• Spend time studying or working abroad, especially working to make and maintain contacts in foreign countries.
• Earn a double major or minor in order to gain additional skills or knowledge needed for various positions (i.e., Africana studies, Asian studies, business, psychology, sociology, etc.).
• For higher level positions an advanced degree is necessary. Research different programs and the concentrations they offer in order to find the best fit for your interests.