This career area involves working in a government
position or on issues related to government matters.
Seven pathways make up this cluster. They include
governance, national security, foreign service,
planning, revenue and taxation, regulation, and public
management and administration. Places of work range
from nonprofit organizations to overseas locations to
local, state, or federal governments.
People enter government and public service
for a variety of reasons. Some want to help
shape environmental regulations or public
or foreign policy. Others desire to serve the
president or protect national security for the
Department of Defense. Yet others make social,
economic, and environmental decisions as they
help plan communities, highways, airports,
and other public spaces. Those who work with
revenue and taxes make sure that citizens and
businesses pay their taxes. They also review
tax returns and collect overdue taxes. People
who work in the regulatory industry help
protect peoples’ health and safety by making
sure that industries and businesses follow the
law. Managers and administrators who handle
public resources must have strong technical
skills in budgeting and managing personnel.
The training and education needed to enter
a career in this cluster range from on-the-job
training to advanced college degrees. Government
job opportunities exist in every career area, and
employment opportunities in state and local
governments are increasing. This is due to population
changes and a growing demand for public services.
President
■
Vice President
■
Governor
■
Lieutenant Governor
■
Mayor
■
Cabinet Level
Secretary (Federal or State)
■
Representative (Federal or
State)
■
Senator (Federal or
State)
■
Assistant, Deputy, &
Chief of Staff
■
Commissioner
(County, Parish, or City)
■
Commissioner (State Agency)
■
Congressional Aide
■
Legislative Aide
■
Legislative
Assistant
■
Specialist
■
Lobbyist
■
Policy Advisor
Governance
National Security Advisor
■
Staff
or Field Officer
■
Electronic
Warfare Specialist
■
Combat
Operations Officer
■
Infantry
Field Officer
■
Artillery Officer
■
Air Defense Artillery Officer
■
Special Forces Officer
■
Nuclear
Weapons Officer & Specialist
■
Missile & Space Systems
Officer
■
Military Intelligence
Specialist
■
Signals Intelligence
Officer
■
Surface Ship Warfare
Officer
■
Submarine Officer
■
Combat Control Officer
■
Combat
Engineer
■
Combat Aircraft Pilot
& Crew
■
Airborne Warning
Control Specialist
■
Intelligence
& Counterintelligence Agent or
Specialist
■
Intelligence Analyst
■
Cryptographer
National Security
Ambassador Foreign Service
Officer
■
Consular Officer
■
Administrative Officer
■
Political
Officer
■
Economic Officer
■
Diplomatic Courier
Foreign Service
Pathways and
Career Options
264