Public service is any service provided by a government, usually in the form of local, state or federal agencies and programs, that benefits citizens. This can include anything from fire services and police departments to education, health care, and food and drug safety regulations. It may also refer to the policies and procedures set by governments, i.e., government regulation or laws that affect the citizenry in general, and are based on social consensus. Public services can also be a natural monopoly (for example, a power company or a railroad) or involve outputs that are hard to attribute to a single individual (like air and water quality).
Many people choose to work in the public sector for personal satisfaction, meaning that they’re not motivated by monetary gain and instead prefer to help others. Public service is a great way to do just that. It can also be a satisfying career choice for students, mid-career professionals or those looking to return to the workforce after having children.
Government workers do not always get the accolades they deserve, but that doesn’t mean they don’t matter. They do an incredible amount of work that helps people every day, and it is vital to the success of any society. So the next time you see a government worker on TV or online, give them a shout-out! Your gratification will go a long way in keeping them working hard.
About the Author
