Public Administration

Although jobs in public administration are found on every level of government, many don't know about them. Every municipality has positions that require public administration know-how. That's every city, town or township. Every state has many positions that need this kind of know-how and the federal government does as well.

In fact, there are state offices in many locations in each state, and there are federal offices in many cities in every state; so, you might say that public adminstration know-how iis one of the most needed degrees in all of the United States.
As government strives to be more professional, those with professional degrees in public adminsitration will be even more sought after. It is a good career direction for students today.

Of course many people don't know what public administration means. Think of it this way. With a business degree you learn economic principles, accounting and analytical skills that would help you be effective in business. With a public administration degree, you learn economic principles, accounting, and analytical skills that would help you be effective in government. You will learn some historical background and take courses in civics as well.

Those with public administration degrees can work in almost every aspect of government you can name. They might work for the police chief, the mayor or the city council. They might report to the county executive or eventually they might be the county executive. State and/or federal jobs include positions in departments overseeing such things as health, the environment, public works or transportation. They might even work for the state legislature or earn a prestigious job with a U.S. Congressman, Senator or Congressional Committee.

Some with pubic adminstration skills end up working for a private entity that performs a public service such as the water department, certain electric companies or waste disposal management.

Salaries depend on experience but can rise over time. Some county executives make salaries of 100,000 dollars or more.
A respected job in government is a good stepping stone as well as a meaningful career.
Students should consider an Aptitude Test or other type of Career Assessment to determine if public administration is a good career choice. Many who think that a business degree is the only way to get a good background for a wide variety of jobs should consider public adminsitration also.