Government & Public Administration


Government ensures that citizens have vital services that they might not otherwise be able to access. Government employees provide regulatory oversight and support for transportation, public safety, healthcare, education, utilities, and courts. In North Carolina, most government employees work for state or local governments. Some people also work for the federal government. Occupations in government mirror careers found in almost every industry. They range from many business, management, and administrative occupations to jobs related to construction and transportation.

Public work sector jobs typically require the same educational requirements as private sector occupations. Government employees’ work schedules and environments depend on workers’ specific jobs and — at times — on the size and level of government. This cluster includes desk jobs with regular eight-hour workdays as well as outdoor work with varying schedules. While hiring practices for most government workers are like those in other sectors, some public sector employees are elected or appointed to their jobs.

 

Core Skills

The following Core Skills are necessary for success in these occupations.

  • Programming - Writing computer programs
  • Writing -
  • Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information
  • Speaking - Talking to others
  • Mathematics - Using math to solve problems
  • Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences
  • Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Judgment & Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

 

Fields of Study in Government & Public Administration