Part Two Exploring Career Options
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Careers in this cluster provide govern-
ment, legislative, administrative, security,
and regulatory services. All of these ser-
vices are needed at federal, state, and local
government levels.
People in this career cluster need a
solid background in social studies, politi-
cal science, foreign language, and history.
People involved in revenue and taxation
need a strong background in accounting.
Many occupations in public service are
also called civil service jobs. These are gov-
ernment jobs obtained by taking
a competitive exam. Many pub-
lic service positions have resi-
dency requirements. A residency
requirement demands that an
applicant live in a certain area.
Usually, this is the area served by
the branch of government offer-
ing the job. For many federal
occupations, U.S. citizenship is
required.
The qualifications for public
service careers vary. All branches
of the armed forces require high
school graduation or its equivalent
for certain enlistment options.
Many jobs require education
beyond high school. Administra-
tive assistants and secretaries can
obtain entry-level jobs, but office
training or experience is often
expected. Administrators generally need
college degrees. Regulators may be required
to hold the same licenses, certifications, or
registries as practitioners in the industries
or activities they regulate.
The factors that influence government
employment levels are unique. Elected
officials determine the payroll budget of
the government. Each administration has
different public policy priorities, which
increase employment levels in some pro-
grams and decrease it in others.