The CQ Press Career Guide for Public Sector Students
Michelle C. Pautz
University of Dayton
Los Angeles
London
New Delhi
Singapore
Washington DC
Melbourne
Copyright © 2020 by CQ Press, an Imprint of SAGE Publications, Inc. CQ Press is a registered trademark of Congressional Quarterly Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
For Information:
CQ Press
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, California 91320
E-mail: [email protected]
SAGE Publications Ltd.
1 Oliver’s Yard
55 City Road
London, EC1Y 1SP
United Kingdom
SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd.
B 1/I 1 Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area
Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044
India
SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.
18 Cross Street #10-10/11/12
China Square Central
Singapore 048423
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Pautz, Michelle C., author.
Title: The CQ Press career guide for public sector students / Michelle C. Pautz, University of Dayton.
Description: First edition. | Washington : SAGE, [2020] | Includes
bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018044703 | ISBN 9781544345840 (saddle stitch : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Political science—Vocational guidance—United States. | College graduates—Employment—United States.
Classification: LCC JA88.U6 P38 2020 | DDC 351.73023—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018044703
Printed in the United States of America
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Acquisitions Editor: Scott Greenan
Editorial Assistant: Lauren Younker
Production Editor: Jyothi Sriram
Copy Editor: Laurie Pitman
Typesetter: Hurix Digital
Proofreader: Sarah Duffy
Cover Designer: Candice Harman
Marketing Manager: Jennifer Jones
Contents
1 Preface
4 Chapter 1 Defining the Public Sector and Its OpportunitiesWhat Is the Public Sector?Application ActivityPerceptions and Myths about the Public SectorApplication ActivityPublic Sector MisconceptionsApplication ActivityChapter Wrap-UpAction ItemsPublic Sector Profile: Robin J. Bachman, Chief, Policy Coordination Office, and Chief Privacy Officer, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce
5 Chapter 2 Curriculum ConsiderationsSelecting Academic Programs, Majors, and MinorsApplication ActivityPicking CoursesApplication ActivityUsing Your Course Assignments and ActivitiesApplication ActivityChapter Wrap-UpAction ItemsPublic Sector Profile: Emily Kaylor, Chief of Staff, Office of Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor
6 Chapter 3 Co-curricular Opportunities and ExperiencesWhat Are Co-curricular Opportunities and Experiences?Application ActivityPursuing Co-curricular ExperiencesApplication ActivityReflecting on Successful and Less Successful Co-curricular ExperiencesChapter Wrap-UpAction ItemsPublic Sector Profile: Geenae Rivera Soto, Policy Analyst, Federal Housing Finance Agency
7 Chapter 4 Finding Your Passion and Pursuing ItFinding Your PassionsApplication ActivityLearning Beyond CollegeApplication ActivitySummary InsightsChapter Wrap-UpAction ItemsPublic Sector Profiles: Cordell Williams, Grants and Development Administrator, Greater Dayton Premier Management, and Jennifer Pautz, Director of Government Affairs, New York University
Preface
Introduction
As we look at the world around us, no matter where we identify ourselves politically or what issues we prioritize, there are changes we would all like to see in society and government. And more often than not, those changes are actioned by the individuals who work in the public sector. Over the years, as I work with undergraduate and graduate students, I find constant inspiration in those students and their desires to make the world a better place. And in conversations with these individuals, I am regularly reminded how intimidating the public sector can appear from the outside, how confusing it seems, and how hard it is to navigate those initial professional steps in public service. Accordingly, this guide captures the themes of so many of those conversations that I have with students as they sought to serve the public in a range of capacities. I offer no assurances that this guide will help you instantly figure it all out (indeed, I still have much to figure out!), but what I hope this guide will do is help you demystify the public sector, think seriously about a career in it, and engage in some activities that will help you figure it out.
I am deeply appreciative of all the students who have allowed me to walk with them during parts of their journey to finding meaningful and fulfilling work in the public sector and to chip away at the problems they see around us. These students and all the public servants motivate me and inspire me daily.
Why I Study Public Administration and Do What I Do
Before I can offer you thoughts and activities to help you find your path, it’s only fair that I share a bit of my story about how I came to be fascinated by the public sector and have devoted my professional life to education for the public sector. Growing up, I always loved social studies. And I couldn’t watch or read enough news coverage as a middle and high school student. I am not sure what accounts for this fascination as my parents both vote regularly and pay attention, but they aren’t captivated by the government the way I am.
When I started my college career,