Nearly 24 million people-about 15% of the workforce-are involved in public service, working at the local, state and federal level. Whether rewriting government policy to affect community change or running a fire department, their work has the potential to improve the lives of the people they serve and make a difference in society.
While the work of government employees may not be as glamorous as viral social media posts or a hit sitcom, it is vital to the wellbeing of our nation. And while it’s true that public sentiment about the work of federal workers has declined in recent years, there are signs of improvement.
In a recent survey, more Americans now say that they think civil servants are dedicated to helping “people like me” than did last year (up from 34% to 43%); fewer disagree that the federal government can be trusted to serve leaders of both political parties (26% down from 33%); and more agree that having an expert and apolitical federal workforce is critical to the country’s success (28% down from 37%).
Whether you’re interested in a traditional career in government or are considering applying to the Peace Corps, it’s important to know that there are programs and resources available to help you succeed in your job. Almost every agency offers an Employee Assistance Program, which is staffed by professional counselors who are trained to help you address issues such as addiction, stress and depression. In addition, most agencies have childcare and dependent care programs and offer educational loan forgiveness.