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The Importance of Public Service
The Importance of Public Service
Category:Careers
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Posted on March 19, 2020
For some, the term “public service” brings to mind government agencies and policy
changes. For others, it represents the brave men and women who put their lives on
the line to save others. And still others, the concept of public service is more
multifaceted, encompassing everything from the director of the local food bank to the
nurses administering vaccines at the community health clinic.
The fact is public service encompasses all of these facets and then some. In this article,
we explore the importance of public service and lay out four reasons why you may want
to serve your community in your career.
1. SAVING LIVES
Often, when you ask someone why they entered the public service, their answer is “I
wanted to make a difference.” What that looks like varies from person to person. For
some, it’s rewriting public policy to effect change in a specific community, while for
others it’s working in the field, providing life-saving assistance in emergencies. The
concept of saving lives means different things to different people, but the desire to give
everyone a fair shot at life underpins nearly every public service role.
2. IMPROVING COMMUNITIES
In an essay about public service for the Alliance of Innovation, Tracy Miller, the
organization’s Florida regional director, wrote “You do not have to wonder as a citizen if
you will have clean water to your home, or street lights that operate, or an ambulance
when you dial 911. These have become givens in our lives and it is largely due to the
stewards of our public dollars who balance the needs of the people they serve.”
These services do often have challenges, and there are needs for additional services to
keep a community running safely and efficiently. Entering public service provides the
opportunity to become a steward of public policy and contribute to the improvements
that are vital to quality of life.
4. PERSONAL FULFILLMENT
Finally, it can’t be overlooked that working in public service provides a significant source
of personal fulfillment. Feeling as if you’re working for a purpose is important; after all,
you will spend thousands of hours at your job every year, and work is often closely tied
to your sense of identity and accomplishment.
Choosing a career in public service can add to that sense of fulfillment. It can provide
opportunities to act on your altruistic desires and the sense of accomplishment that
comes from knowing you made a measurable difference in the lives of others.