Public Administration

What can I do with a Major in Public Administration?

Local Government

Job Types

  • City Management
  • Financial Administration
  • Budget Analysis
  • General Services
  • Community Affairs
  • Social Services
  • Urban Planning

Employers

  • Counties
  • Municipalities
  • Townships
  • School districts
  • Special districts

Strategies

  • Learn local government job application procedures.
  • Develop a network of contacts.
  • Check statistics on growing communities for best opportunities.
  • Obtain internship or volunteer in interest area.
  • Conduct applicable research that could be useful to your community.

State Government

Job Types

  • Administrative Services
  • Legislature
  • Judicial

Employers

  • Various departments of state government
  • Legislative agencies including Legislative Reference Services, Bill Drafting Services, Legislative Councils and Budgeting and Auditing staffs
  • Personal staff of legislators
  • State Supreme Courts
  • Intermediate Appellate Courts
  • Trial Courts of General Jurisdiction
  • Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction

Strategies

  • Research the organization of your state.
  • Contact individuals in agencies for information.
  • Develop specialized skills and interests for particular populations or issues, e.g. disabilities, education, homelessness, etc.
  • Develop research and writing skills.
  • Make political contacts through local legislators of both houses.
  • Volunteer time on staff or campaigns.
  • Many positions will require a law degree.
  • Make contacts through referrals and informational interviews.

Federal Government

Job Types

  • Professional
  • Administrative
  • Technical
  • Legislative Branch
  • Legislative Agencies

Employers

  • Various federal departments and agencies
  • Various agencies including: General Accounting Office, Library of Congress, Government Printing Office, Congressional Budget Office

Strategies

  • Obtain an internship in a federal agency or department.
  • Often this is the best way to get a foot in the door for a permanent position.
  • Learn federal job application procedures and how to write a federal resume.
  • Research various agencies and departments to discover which ones may be the best fit for your major and experience.
  • Conduct informational interviews with agency employees.

Non-Profit

Job Types

  • Administrative
  • Development
  • Program Management
  • Policy Analysis
  • Research

Employers

  • Local and national nonprofit agencies and foundations
  • Charitable organizations
  • Trade or professional organizations
  • Research organizations and think tanks

Strategies

  • Learn job application process.
  • Participate in internships and/or volunteer activities for related experience. 
  • Develop good writing, verbal and leadership skills.
  • Become a member of the organization.
  • Develop research skills and learn how to write grants.

Political Support & Lobbying

Employers

  • Political Action Committees (PAC)
  • Various industrial, educational, public interest groups
  • Political parties
  • Lobbying organizations

Strategies

  • Get involved with political party/group and develop a personal network.
  • Ability to develop networks, coalitions and alliances with other associations highly valued.
  • Experience with government agencies/departments very helpful.
  • Develop excellent public relations, interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Volunteer in organizations with similar interests and goals.

Business

Job Types

  • Human Resources
  • Budget Analysis
  • Management
  • Sales/Marketing

Employers

  • Business firms
  • Contracting and consulting firms
  • Association management firms

Strategies

  • Develop strong analytical, communication and technical skills.
  • Obtain related work experience through internships and summer or part-time jobs.
  • Earn a minor in business.
  • Research structure and function of firm.
  • May need government experience.

Health/Medical

Job Types

  • Healthcare Administration

Employers

  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Nursing homes
  • Social service and community agencies

Strategies

  • Most positions will require graduate degree in public health or hospital administration.
  • Obtain internship or related work experience.

Strategies for Placement in Public Administration

  • Undergraduate degree sufficient for entry-level position in government and business.
  • Graduate degree in public administration or public health administration very helpful for management and administration positions.
  • Consider law school for careers in upper level politics, administration or management.
  • Obtain broad liberal arts background including written and verbal skills, communication and foreign language skills.
  • Part-time, summer, internship, volunteer experience extremely helpful in government affairs, 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.
  • Demonstrate interest/involvement in community affairs/events.
  • Join related social and/or professional organizations.
  • Employment opportunities in local government tend to follow population trends in terms of growth and decline in availability of positions.
  • Develop network through informal contacts.
  • Political connections are helpful for appointed positions. Most agencies respond to professional connections.
  • Expect competition for federal positions.
  • Develop patience, persistence and drive in obtaining government positions.
  • Explore application to Administrative Careers with America (ACWA) and the Outstanding Scholar Program for federal positions.
  • Learn applicable application process for area of interest.
  • Research websites and books that address various government job opportunities, pay structure and hiring processes.
  • Consider military experience and training 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.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer

Public Administration Resources