If you have a passion for altruism, public service is where you’ll find fulfillment. Your work can make a measurable difference in people’s lives. This type of career also tends to offer more job security than many other jobs. After all, there will always be children who need to be educated, veterans who need healthcare and cities and states that need dedicated professionals to keep the lights on and the roads paved.
While the work of public sector employees may not get as much recognition as a viral social media post or hit sitcom, it’s still important to remember that this is mission-driven work that directly impacts people’s lives. Public sector professionals see the results of their efforts around them all the time – from improved fire department response times to better standards for workplace safety and food and medicine quality.
As a result, they’re more likely to be satisfied with their careers. According to a recent survey, 70% of federal workers were either very or somewhat satisfied with their work. This satisfaction is especially true in higher level positions, where managers are often held to a more rigorous standard for performance and ethical conduct than other levels of staff. In addition, all agencies offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), staffed by professional counselors to help address issues like family and personal problems and stress. In general, the federal government is also more flexible than most private employers when it comes to family and medical leave, and offering a variety of education assistance programs for its employees.