Searching for career ideas? Public servant Deanna Deveney explains why you should consider a career in public service.

Considering career options? There are so many jobs and career paths that trying to find the right fit is often a tall task. One area people should consider is public service. There are a lot of great job opportunities in government and nonprofit organizations that allow you to serve the community. Public servant Deanna Deveney shares insights.

“Working in public service has allowed me to help communities and people,” Deanna Deveney says, “And at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing to me.  You should always remain focused on the communities you’re helping, but public service has also helped me find meaning in life.”

Deanna Deveney Urges Students to Pay Attention to State and Local Government Positions

Zoomers and millennials both want more out of a job than just a job. Many people want to make a difference too. Fortunately, a career in public service allows you to do so. And while many people first think of federal government jobs, many of the best positions are at the state and local levels.

“Sometimes people think that a public service job means working for the federal government, but many of the most important and impactful jobs are at the local and state level,” Deanna Deveney says. “You can check city government websites and often find great jobs listed and open. Both the short-term and long-term benefits that they offer often outweigh those in the private sector”. 

Many of the largest and most complex projects and initiatives are spearheaded by the Federal government. Additionally, the federal government is responsible for handling all foreign relations and affairs with governments abroad. However, when it comes to impacting lives, city and state governments often have as much, if not more, of an impact on the lives of residents. 

“Local governments often have to get into the nitty-gritty of daily life,” Deanna Deveney says. “Being on the front line of a global pandemic, leading the City of Everett and its residents through something so unexpected and unanticipated allowed me to see firsthand how much of an effect government employees can really have on residents in a community”. 

You can also gain a lot of valuable experience through public service jobs. Often, the folks in these roles must be able to manage crises, coordinate different parties and resources, and move quickly to mitigate dangers. Developing skills in these areas can help in a variety of careers. And the pay often isn’t as bad as portrayed.

“Government jobs get a reputation for low pay,” Deanna Deveney notes. “And sometimes that’s true. However, jobs in public service are often more stable and compensation can still be manageable with the benefits, long and short term with health insurance and a retirement package that is quite generous”

How about education? Public administration degrees are useful and could open doors. However, other degrees and work experience can also prove vital. What’s most important is figuring out how to leverage your education and talent to make a positive impact on your community.

“Much of my public service work has been in public communications and government relations,” Deanna Deveney says. “Marketing skills are just as important to local governments as they are to companies.

Ultimately, anyone looking for career opportunities that afford a chance to give back to and improve society should consider a career in public service.