Many government employees seem to be wired differently. They aren’t looking for big bucks. They’re not interested in attention or power. They’re not necessarily all that political. They just want to make a difference.
Over the last 30 years I’ve talked with many govies who knew they could command more money and gain more upward mobility in the private sector but had no interest in making the switch. They cared too much about the work they were doing.
Here at GovLoop, we see that public service mindset every year when we interview the winners of our annual NextGen Public Service Awards. We conclude each interview by asking the winner to complete this sentence: “I am in public service because…”
I recently combed through the award write-ups from the last three years to see if I could find some common threads. Below you can read five responses that capture the range of answers we often hear. But the most common thread is clear: a passion for service.
The NextGen awards program is intended to honor those individuals who exemplify the best in public service, and we’re looking for nominations now.
The deadline is July 31. The winners will be honored at the NextGen Government Training Virtual Summit on October 25.
You can find more information about the awards, including the criteria, on the awards homepage.
Meanwhile, if you’re game, we’d love to hear why you love public service. Check out the responses below and then share your thoughts in the comments field.
A Sense of Calling
One winner, who worked on child labor issues, described public service as a calling.
“When it comes to protecting the nation’s youngest workforce, I just want to do everything I can to make sure that those kids are safe. I love the job, and I just want to do what I can each and every day to try to make a difference and to save lives.”
Shared Purpose
Multiple winners have said they love working alongside others who share their dedication to public service. One said:
“I find that the people who dedicate themselves to public service….are goal-oriented, they’re hardworking, and they enjoy being part of a team and working together as a team. And I’m proud to work alongside them.”
A Desire to Give Back
Govies who began their careers working in the private sector often bring unique insights to their agencies. As one winner said:
“I enjoy giving back to other people as well as the ability to bridge the gap from the government to the commercial sector, and helping educate those that are not in government on opportunities and ways to work with the government.”
Visible Impact
Many govies find it deeply rewarding to know that their work makes a difference in the community around them. A winner from the U.S. Census Bureau put it this way:
“I know every night that what I do makes a difference in the lives of so many more people around me. I can look at the public schools that my kids go to, and know that the job that I do has an impact on those schools. And I look at the transportation network and know that my job has an impact on that. And not many jobs outside of public service have those impacts.”
A Love of Big Problems
For some govies, the big draw is that government tackles big problems. One winner said:
“I’m in public service because I really like challenging and difficult problems, and I really like problems that are focused on what I consider to be the important essential issues of our day and age,” he said. “I know that the work I’m doing really matters to people and potentially is saving lives. Nothing can compare to that.”
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