The public service sector includes a variety of occupations, from elected and other government officials to military, law enforcement, infrastructure, and any other civil service position. Entry-level positions exist in virtually all government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. It is also important to understand the difference between public servants (civil service employees) and politicians. If you are interested in a career in the political sector (not necessarily in an elected position), working or volunteering on a campaign is a primary path to future positions.
General Desired Skills:
- Organization and negotiating skills
- Analytical
- Creativity
- Leadership
- Decision making
- Teamwork
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Commitment to serving the public
- Knowledge of policy and current issues
Sample Job Titles:
Sample Employers:
- Office of the New York State Attorney General
- State of New York
- Internal Revenue Service
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Department of Energy and Environment
Political Campaign Volunteer and Paid Positions:
Thinks Tanks and Lobbying firms:
Application Timelines:
The application process varies by organization, so research options and know specific application deadlines. Most of the fall and into the first months of the year will be spent researching and networking. Many full-time opportunities are filled ‘as needed’ on a continuous basis. Stay focused! The job cycle for non-profits may be very different than some of your peers who are applying for positions in tech or finance… the application cycle in non-profits will become more active the closer you get to the end of the school year and into the summer.
For current students and new grads, the Pathways Program is an entry point into the federal government. Many federal internships will open their applications approximately six months before the start date. For information on the application process for internships, see the OMP internships page, for full-time positions see the OMP recent graduate page.
For a May start date, spend the fall researching potential positions and agencies and creating your profile in USAJobs. Remember to update your profile as necessary and create a separate federal resume. Follow their instructions and cut and paste sections of your resume into their template. Once you apply for a position, it may take approximately two to four months for the hiring process to be complete. The following websites will provide you with some tips on the entire application process.
Jason Buitrago 
Mark E. Goldstein 
Amy Hein 
Moriah Jacobson 
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas, MSW, MPA, CFRE 
Sade Richardson 
