If you’ve been dreaming of a career in government, the best way to ensure you get the position you like is to prepare for it as soon as you can. This is something you have to consider even before your high school graduation. The President of the American Continental Group, David Urban, who is highly experienced in government relations and public policy, noted that premium government positions require some tertiary education and training.
There are many different forms of government service spanning across industries. You can be a nurse, clerk, programmer, criminal investigator, engineer, lawyer, janitor, secretary, etc. All of these positions are needed may it be in the federal, state, or local city government. If you’re aspiring for a high government position, here are the main areas you need to study in order to boost your government relations career after your college graduation:
Pursue a Degree in Public Relations
If you’re considering a lifelong career in government, it is best to take up a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration. This course is the most comprehensive one out there in preparing you for a career as a public servant. David Urban agrees that this is one of the best areas of study that you should focus on if you aspire to move up the ranks.
Complete a Law Degree
Studying the rules of law and passing the bar exam means you get to practice as an attorney. The majority of those who graduate with a Juris Doctor do well in the government because they know the ins and outs of the law, making their jobs a lot easier. You can be in many departments with a law degree: you can serve as a prosecutor, you can be a public defender, you can apply to be a judge or justice, or you can even run for a legislative position. Having a Juris Doctor means you are a cut above the rest of the other job aspirants.
Take an Accounting Class
Every branch of government needs to balance their books because they are all allotted a budget that comes from taxpayer’s money. Because of this, they are required to keep an open book to show the public where the money is being spent on. Taking an accounting class, or better yet being a certified public accountant (CPA), means you can get into one of those coveted government positions, especially within the realms of accounting, budgeting, treasury, and finance.
Consider a Computer Science and Information Technology Degree
The world is now modern and digital, and these changes are seen across the board in all industries. The government has upgraded and continuous to upgrade their many technological platforms. Having a degree in computer science and IT can secure you your coveted government career because you can do a lot of things such as monitor databases, keep sites from getting hacked, fix network connection, and more.
Work Towards a Degree in Business and Economics
Pursuing a degree in business administration, economics, or business management is a great key area of study to ascertain that you land a job as a government employee. This is a good alternative to public administration, especially if you see yourself being in government while pursuing your entrepreneurial skills in your spare time. It is always good to know how to operate and manage an organization, as well as to learn the ropes when it comes to ensuring successful business plans and projects. All of these are present in government.
These are the top five areas of study, which will give you better opportunities and raise your chances when the time comes for you to apply to get that government position you desire. Most of all, apart from studying your lessons, you have to make sure you don’t break any laws and you maintain a good reputation. The last thing you want to happen is to get refused because you have a misdemeanor staining your records.