For many people, public service conjures up images of government agencies enacting policy changes or brave men and women putting their lives on the line in the face of disasters like hurricanes, floods and pandemics. Yet the definition of public service is much broader than that – it encompasses everything from the director of the local food bank to the nurses administering vaccines in community health clinics. Regardless of how you define it, one thing is clear: public service matters.
In a time of political gridlock and declining trust in the federal government, it’s more important than ever for public servants to communicate the value of their work. From fostering an internal culture that prioritizes the mission and overriding duty of serving the public to building strong relationships with stakeholders in order to deliver on that commitment, there are many ways leaders can lead in service to their communities.
Whether it’s through setting high standards for worker pay and benefits, or through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program that erases student debt after 10 years in certain public sector jobs, research shows that these initiatives can improve employee morale and satisfaction, create a more effective government, and ultimately deliver better services for the public. So, why do public service careers matter? This article lays out four reasons why.
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