Empowering the Next Generation: How to Get Youth Excited about Careers in Public Service

As a society, we rely on public service workers to keep our communities safe, healthy, and functioning smoothly. From firefighters to police officers, public health officials to government workers, these professionals play a vital role in our daily lives. Unfortunately, many young people today may not see a career in public service as an appealing or desirable option. It's up to us to change that.

I know firsthand how rewarding a career in public service can be. In my early teenage years, I was drawn to the idea of serving my community in a meaningful way. I started out as a firefighting explorer, learning about the inner workings of the fire department and what it takes to be a first responder. From there, I became a police explorer, gaining even more experience in public safety. Eventually, I became a certified Firefighter/EMT in my hometown and served the very neighborhood that I lived in.

So how can we get more of our youth excited about pursuing a career in public service? Here are a few ideas:

1. Start early: We need to introduce young people to the idea of public service at a young age. This can include school programs, after-school activities, and community outreach efforts.
2. Highlight the benefits: A career in public service offers a wide range of benefits, including job security, competitive salaries and benefits, and the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.
3. Emphasize the diversity of opportunities: Public service careers encompass a wide range of fields and specialties, from law enforcement to public health, environmental protection to social work. We need to emphasize that there is something for everyone in public service.
4. Provide hands-on experiences: Just like my experience as a firefighting and police explorer, hands-on experiences can be incredibly valuable for young people. This could include job shadowing, internships, or volunteer opportunities.
5. Showcase success stories: We need to highlight the stories of successful public service professionals, especially those who started out at a young age. By showcasing the accomplishments of our local heroes, we can inspire the next generation of public servants.

By taking these steps, we can get more of our youth excited about pursuing a career in public service. And as we face ongoing challenges as a society, it's more important than ever to have dedicated and passionate individuals working in these fields. So let's do our part to encourage and support the next generation of public servants.