PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION What Can I Do with This Major?

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION What can I do with this major?

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Management Counties Get involved in community organizations and events Financial administration Municipalities and develop a network of contacts. Budget analysis Townships Employment opportunities in local government tend Purchasing School districts to follow population trends in terms of growth and Human resource management Special districts decline in availability of positions. Be prepared to Risk management relocate to find the most opportunities. Emergency services management Gain relevant experience through internships and/or Community services volunteer positions. Social services Conduct applicable research that could be useful to Urban planning your community. Research local government job application procedures and applicable public service exams.

STATE GOVERNMENT Executive Branch Functions: Departments of state government (varies by state) Research the organization of your state government. Finance and administration Legislative agencies including: Develop specialized skills and interests for particular Human resource management Legislative Reference Services, Bill Drafting populations or issues (e.g. disability, education, Environmental management Services, Legislative Councils and homelessness, etc.) Public safety and criminal justice Budgeting and Auditing staffs Develop strong research and writing skills. Risk management State Supreme Courts Make political contacts through local legislators of Emergency services management Personal staff of legislators both houses. Use referrals and informational Commerce and insurance Intermediate Appellate Courts interviews to build a network. Purchasing and acquisitions Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction Volunteer to work on political campaigns. Budget analysis Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Consider pursuing a relevant graduate degree for Community services more opportunities and advancement. Social services Learn the state government employment procedures Urban planning and utilize your campus career center for assist- Legislature ance with the application process. Judicial Research applicable public service exams. (Public Administration, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Legislative Branch Various agencies including: Research the structure of Congress and various Legislative agencies General Accounting Office, Library of Con- opportunities available. Legislature gress, Government Printing Office, Develop excellent research, writing, communication, Administrative staff Congressional Budget Office and organizational skills. Washington-based Offices of senators and representatives Build a strong personal network. Home district Explore districts other than your own. Committee

Judicial Branch Supreme Court Research the structure and functions of the U.S. Courts federal judiciary system. Federal Judiciary Some positions require a law degree and bar Supporting organizations certification.

Executive Branch Office of the President Research various agencies and departments to Office of the President Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, discover which ones may be the best fit for your Management and budget Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, major and experience. Administration Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Conduct informational interviews with government Council of economic advisors Justice, Labor employees. U.S. trade representatives Apply for a government internship through the Executive departments Pathways Program or other student programs to gain relevant experience. Learn federal job application procedures and how to write a strong resume. Use your campus career center for help with the application process.

Independent Agencies Independent Agencies include the following (not an There are a large number of niche areas and Finance and administration exhaustive list): specialized agencies within the federal Budget analysis Coordination and Public Safety government. Do extensive research in order to Purchasing Emergency Response Policy find the area that best matches your skills and Human Resource management Environmental Protection Agency interests. Environmental management Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Take courses or minor in applicable interest area(s). Security and protection Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Maintain a high grade point average to qualify for Enforcement and compliance Federal Emergency Management Agency government employment. Commerce and insurance General Services Administration Apply for a government internship through the Purchasing and acquisitions National Archives & Records Administration Pathways Program or other student programs to Program management Nuclear Regulatory Commission gain relevant experience. Risk management Office of Personnel Management Research applicable public service exams and hiring Emergency services management Securities & Exchange Commission procedures. Social services Tennessee Valley Authority Earn a graduate degree to be more competitive for Legal U.S. Information Agency positions. U.S. International Development Cooperation (Public Administration, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

POLITICAL SUPPORT/LOBBYING Elected/Appointed Leadership Political Action Committees (PAC) Get involved with a political party/group and develop Campaign management Industrial, educational, and public interest groups a personal network. The ability to develop Staff administration Political parties networks, coalitions, and alliances with other Special interest advocacy Campaigns: national, state, or local associations is highly valued. Political advising Lobbying organizations Volunteer to work on political campaigns. Lobbying Large business firms Gain experience with government agencies or Party administration departments to help build relationships. Develop excellent public relations, interpersonal, and communication skills. Learn how to persuade and negotiate. Participate on a debate team. Volunteer in organizations with similar interests and goals.

NONPROFIT Administration Local and national nonprofit agencies Gain experience through volunteering or completing Management Foundations an internship. Public relations Charitable organizations Supplement curriculum with courses in business, Fund raising/Development Trade or professional associations psychology, sociology, or social work. Policy analysis Special interest groups Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and Research Labor unions community organizations. Grant writing Libraries Develop strong communication and research skills. Direct service Museums Learn how to write grants. Historic sites/historical societies Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a Research organizations and think tanks specialty area (e.g. public health, environment, Educational institutions urban issues). Research organizations' values to find a good fit with yours. It is critical that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the work you're going to do. Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field. Consider earning a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement. (Public Administration, Page 4)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

BUSINESS Human resources Product and service organizations Develop strong analytical, communication, and Budget analysis Retail stores technical skills. Management Hotels Obtain related work experience in a business setting Sales/Marketing Restaurants through internships and summer or part-time Purchasing Manufacturers jobs. Management consulting Insurance companies Earn a minor in business. Occupational safety coordination Print and electronic media Hone computer skills and learn software packages Public relations Consulting firms such as databases, spreadsheets, and Other business corporations presentations. Association management firms Get involved in student organizations and seek leadership roles. Become knowledgeable about corporate social responsibility.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS See also What Can I Do With This Major in Global Intergovernmental agencies (e.g., World Bank, Obtain internships or volunteer in order to gain Studies? United Nations) valuable experience in areas of interest. Governance National governments Participate in overseas mission trips or spend a Policy making and analysis Non-profit agencies Semester at Sea. Public sector reform Policy and research organizations Become familiar with national or international Poverty-reduction strategy Private businesses application procedures. Ethics and anti-corruption Contracting and consulting firms Research the history and culture of countries or Human rights geographic areas of interest. Public law Take steps towards obtaining work or study visas for Organization and management development various locations. Resource development Become proficient in at least one foreign language. Public/Private partnerships Spend time studying or working abroad, especially Media/Communication policy and practice working to make and maintain contacts in foreign Education countries. Earn a double major or minor in order to gain additional skills or knowledge needed for various positions (e.g., Africana studies, Asian studies, business, psychology, sociology, etc.). For higher level positions an advanced degree is necessary. Research different programs and the concentrations they offer in order to find the best fit for your interests. (Public Administration, Page 5)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

HEALTHCARE Health services administration: Hospitals, health systems, and clinics Supplement your curriculum with business courses. Operations Medical groups Gain experience through internships or jobs in a Finance Hospices healthcare setting. Program management Home health agencies Develop strong communication and technology Material management Long-term care facilities skills. Learn how to use database and spread- Human resources Mental health facilities sheet software. Medical staff relations Managed care organizations Get involved in student government or campus Information technology Health finance organizations organizations related to health issues. Marketing Insurance companies Learn to work well on teams and develop strong Public relations Pharmaceutical companies leadership skills. Facilities Academic medical centers Join related professional organizations and build a Patient care Federal government agencies network of contacts. Provider relations State government agencies Stay abreast of news in the healthcare industry. Government relations Public health departments Earn a master’s degree in public health, health ad- Health policy: Advocacy groups ministration, public administration, business, or a Research Health foundations related field. Policy analysis Nongovernmental agencies (e.g. Red Cross) To prepare for positions in lobbying and legislation, Policy development Professional associations (e.g. American Medical some will earn a law degree. Legislative work Association) Lobbying

LAW See also What Can I Do With This Major in Law? Law firms Develop strong research skills and attention to detail. Prosecution Federal, state, and local government Participate in debate or forensic team to hone com- Defense Private practice munication skills. Contractual Corporations Choose courses or a minor to specialize in a particu- Corporate Special interest groups lar area of law (e.g., a minor in business for a Nonprofit/Public interest Universities and colleges career in corporate law. Government Legal aid societies Find part-time or summer work in a law firm. Mediation Nonprofit and public interest organizations (e.g., Shadow an attorney to learn more about the field Other specialties ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Legal and various specialties. Law assistance Services Corporation Get involved in pre-law organizations. Legal clinics Plan to attend law school and earn a law degree. Other private legal services Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations. Prepare for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). Obtain specialized certification for paralegal positions. (Public Administration, Page 6) GENERAL INFORMATION • An undergraduate degree in Public Administration, with the appropriate experience, is sufficient for entry-level positions in government and business. • A graduate degree in public administration, public health administration, or business administration helps prepare students for management and upper-level positions. Research programs in order to choose specializations or concentrations of interest. • Consider law school for careers in upper-level politics, administration, or management. Explore joint J.D. and M.P.A. programs to see if they meet your career goals. • Obtain a broad liberal arts background including written and verbal communication, research, and language skills. • Part-time, summer, internship, and volunteer experiences are extremely helpful to find positions in government affairs, nonprofit organizations or public service areas. • Develop strong leadership skills; run for office in clubs and organizations in school or community. Volunteer to organize or lead an event or project. • Get involved in Student Government. Assist with campus, local, or national campaigns to gain experience and build relationships. • Demonstrate interest/involvement in community affairs and events. • Join related professional organizations such as the American Society of for Public Administration (ASPA). • Build a strong personal network through informal contacts. Political connections are helpful for appointed positions. Most agencies respond to professional connections. • Expect keen competition for federal positions. Prepare yourself with a strong academic background and good experience. Seek the classes and experiences that will best prepare you. • Develop patience, persistence, and drive in obtaining government positions. • Explore application to government internship programs specifically for college students, such as the Pathways Program at the federal level. • Research websites that address various government job opportunities, pay structure, and hiring processes. • Consider military experience and training or the Peace Corps as an entryway into government jobs and public service. • Plan on following a flexible career path to higher positions. Many people begin on the clerical or entry level in order to gain experience and network.