Everett Said:

What are some good (relatively high paying) career paths in public service?

We Answered:

City Manager. You do all the daily operations that keep the city running.

Hospital Administrator. You keep the place running. It is like being mayor of a small city.

Director of the City Animal Pound.

Reginald Said:

How does a college graduate with a bachelors start a career in public service and professional politics?

We Answered:

OK, law degrees and grad school are ok, but they're not going to get you on track necessarily. The best way is to take a small job with someone in the field. Think about moving to DC, which is where the largest amount of open jobs in that field exist. A friend of mine took a two day trip up there once, and just handed out resumes to EVERY Congressman or Senator applying for the lowest congressional staffer positions. There are also a lot of non-profit and lobbying organizations in DC which will help you out.

The easier way to get IN is to volunteer for a congressional campaign. If you can afford to volunteer yourself full-time (for no pay), you'll get lots of great political experience without having to interview for the position. But there are no guarantees. From my experience, volunteering for a big presidential campaign is almost worthless, because you'd be just one of hundreds. Instead, try to connect with a House of Representatives race (preferably a very competitive race), or perhaps someone running for State office. Be sure it's someone who you like, and can tolerate working with. It's a very stressful time, so if you're working with jerks, it just gets worse toward the end.

If you can find a way to use what you know, that will even give you a head start. For example, if you can figure out how to use your English degree or some of your recent work experience, so much the better. For example, if your English skills extend to writing or editing, perhaps that can be an in to a political publishing area.

In the end, though, it's all a matter of perseverence.

Jesus Said:

What qualification do you need to teach at FE level?

We Answered:

Cert Ed. F.E. Colleges run the course.

Miriam Said:

With all of these career politicians has public service become self service?

We Answered:

Yes term limits are needed. These politicians only care about their own self interests.

Christopher Said:

Can anyone recommend an attorney to represent me in order to save my public service career?

We Answered:

(I'm not a lawyer, but) if you have concrete evidence, i.e. documentation of your supervisor's behavior towards you in terms of getting you to quit-that's considered harassment and a hostile environment (Illegal, please check your employee handbook, or call your state Dept. of Labor). I dont know if the ER record would be admissible as work-stress evidence, but it's worth a try. Also, if you're going to a Dr. due to your work stress-make a copy of your prescription and of his written findings.

Consult a Labor Lawyer, (try calling your state's Bar Association for recommendations), give him your documentation, including the hospital's and a copy of your supervisor's email reprimanding you, complete with inflammatory statements. Meanwhile keep documenting his behavior towards you, including his full name/title/dept./date/manner of behavior towards you, i.e. demeaning, etc.-and send him a copy.

If he intensifies his behavior towards you - keep documenting. This time send copies to his supervisor.

He still acts dysfunctional? Keep documenting, send copies to HR. What you're doing is using the Chain-of Command. You're showing you systematically notified higher-ups - and you were ignored. Nothing was done.

I hope not, but if you're fired because you 'dared' to document-seek legal council, take all of your documentation, including your performance reviews and any documentation stating your promotion. Your documentation will be "ammunition" and proof you worked in a hostile environment that shouldn't be tolerated.

This is what's going on in the workplace - workers with years of experience on the job being passed over for supervisor's friends/relatives/2nd cousins, with little, or no experience. Used to be "What You Know." Now it's Who You Know." I've seen it happen. Then when it's "Breaking News on the 6:00 news that some "...coworker took out their supervisor and other coworkers with an AK-47", they wonder why.

Good luck.

Sam Said:

Will you ever consider a public service career?

We Answered:

I AM CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN OUR COUNTRY!

I am not here because this is the only place that accepts me. In fact, I graduated magna *** laude (modesty aside ahem, ahem). Actually, I happened to be here by accident. Our agency needs fresh blood back then and I gave it a try. After a month, I wanted to quit but decided to go schooling instead (in the gov't sector, you are not forced to do overtime, so you have a lot of time after office hours). 11 years after, I'm still here... I decided to stay because I kindda like being in a gov't sector. Maybe, I'm just so lucky i make it to the top (not really top...let's say middle mgt) w/o so much fuss...

Hey people, not everyone in the government sector are corrupt. Maybe, 20% are but NOT everyone...