5 Reasons a Career in Public Administration is Right for You

A career in public administration appeals to people for many reasons. It is a field that requires a specific skill set, as well as one that can be deeply rewarding to those who pursue it. Programs like the online MPA program at Norwich University help students further develop those skills that are necessary to be a successful public administrator. Whether striving for an online master’s in public administration or working towards a bachelor’s degree, here are five ways that you can tell if a career in public administration is right for you.

Methodical

It is important to be able to set up a plan and see it through in an organized and methodical way. Since any policy that you will be working with will require you to work within a specific set of rules to make any lasting changes, if you have a hard time following the rules and prescribed methods, this might not be the career for you. If you love making lists and following steps, however, it just might be.

Serving

The jobs in public administration range from government to for-profit jobs, but they tend to focus on public service. These positions are a way to make a real change in the world through your position. With a wide variety of policies that can dramatically influence and change the way companies and government agencies act, sometimes these policies can take years to be visible. If you have a passion for serving your community and country, however, the wait will be worth it.

Leadership Abilities

If you are someone who has always had strong leadership abilities or enjoy working in leadership positions, then a career in public administration is right for you. The jobs in public administration involve working as a leader, coming up with new ideas to improve your workplace and then leading a team to implement those ideas. These skills will continue to grow, but if this is something you are interested in already, this is a field to consider.

Ethical

It is critical for someone who is working in public administration to be an ethical person. There is a lot at stake in these careers, as these public servants are often involved in shaping the future of nations by developing the policies that they use. To be successful at this job, you should have a clear sense of your own ethics and how these ethics are going to work in the favor of your country and community.

Chance for Growth

Once you have achieved an online master in public administration, you can work in a variety of different places. If you know that you like to move around, there are options for you here. From the government to the non-profit sector, and everything in between, there are plenty of jobs to choose from. If you start out working in local government, you can eventually move to the state and Federal levels. If you begin working in a management position at a non-profit, you can become a director, either at the same non-profit or at a different one.

There are many ways to tell if a career in public administration is right for you, ranging from leadership abilities to the desire to help the world around you.