Why Does Interest in Government Careers Decline among Public Affairs Graduate Students?

Abstract

This study explores the predictors of government career preferences using a higher education socialization framework. Existing research suggests that students’ interest in government careers declines over the course of training in public administration graduate programs. This study investigates the extent to which characteristics of degree program, individual background, professional community, and personal community could explain this downward trend. One hundred public affairs master’s degree programs were randomly selected for involvement in this study. From the programs invited, 26 programs agreed to participate, and 552 master’s degree– seeking students responded to a survey. While the findings confirmed that career interest in government is related to a number of factors, such as gender, work experience, interaction with professionals, and involvement in a professional association, these findings did not fully explain the declining interest among students in graduate programs in public administration. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Keywords:

• Public administration
• government career interest
• career preferences
• graduate degree programs
• socialization

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leonard Bright

Leonard Bright is associate professor in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University—College Station. He currently teaches courses in public management, program evaluation, and organizational theory and behavior. His research has appeared in the American Review of Public Administration, Journal of Public Affairs Education, Public Personnel Management, and Review of Public Personnel Administration.

Cole Blease Graham

Cole Blease Graham, Jr. is visiting professor in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University—College Station. He currently teaches courses in public budgeting and human resources administration. In August 2009, he retired from the University of South Carolina as distinguished professor emeritus. His major publications include South Carolina Politics and Government, The South Carolina State Constitution: A Reference Guide, Managing the Public Organization, and Handbook of Court Administration and Management.