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Jobs in the Public Sector: Your Ticket to the Good Life

By Clare Kaufman
Learning & Life Columnist
January 26, 2007

The government is designed to promote community wellbeing, so it's no surprise that it promotes its employees' wellbeing too. Quality of life is one of the best features of government work. One administrator notes, "[T]here is more concern about individuals and considerable understanding when it comes to personal crises." This concern extends to "family-friendly policies and more generous vacation plans," comprehensive health benefits, and more.

Civil service and government jobs are legendary for offering employees an unbeatable quality of life. "Secure employment, reasonable hours, and good benefits" rank as some of popular advantages of a government job, an insider says. Christina Cromley, a federal accounting analyst, enjoys not only "a good balance between her work and family life," but also "an on-site gym, a meditation room, interesting seminar series, flex time…"

Degrees for High Quality Careers

Opportunities abound across the public sector, from foreign service to local government, social service foundations to political advocacy groups. Educational requirements vary widely, but most civil service and government jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Some popular fields include:

• Public Administration. A master's degree in public administration (MPA) is similar to an MBA, with an emphasis on the public sector. Students study public policy alongside business-minded courses such as budgeting and financial management. Sample career paths: city manager and policy advisor.
• Business Administration. A bachelor's or master's in Business Administration offers the financial and management background necessary for a range of civil service careers. Sample job titles: budget analyst and social service manager.
• Human Resources. A bachelor's or master's in Human Resources combines courses in organizational psychology, business administration, and communications. Master's degree programs prepare students for managerial positions. Sample career path: labor relations specialist.

Public sector careers offer a pleasant alternative for those who can't stomach an 80-hour work week. For great benefits, family-friendly policies, ample vacation time, and a positive work environment, public and private nonprofit careers are the way to go.

Sources

• Future Leaders in Philanthropy, "Back to School to Save the World"
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Career Guide to Industries: Government"
• The Chronicle of Higher Education, "The Federal Government is Hiring"
• The Princeton Review
• About: Nonprofits, "Top Five Reasons to Work at a Nonprofit"
• WorldWideLearn.com

About the Author
Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer who covers education and career-related topics. She has a graduate degree in English.

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