I strongly desire to pursue a career in the federal public service of Canada. It would be an incredibly engaging and fulfilling career path after carefully considering the many facets of working as a public servant. I find several critical aspects of public service highly appealing and believe they would enable me to thrive professionally and personally.
First and foremost, I am deeply motivated by contributing to the greater public good through my work. As the Clerk of the Privy Council eloquently states in his most recent annual report on the state of the public service, public servants “are driven by the opportunity to serve Canadians and make a positive difference in their lives” (Privy Council, 2022, p.5). The core mission of the public service resonates strongly with me – developing and implementing policies, programs, and services that aim to improve society, help people, and address complex challenges. My daily work has a tangible positive impact, and a public service career would offer that. Some of the significant files and priorities currently being tackled by the public service – reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, fighting climate change, promoting social equity, and enhancing public health – are issues I care about deeply personally. Knowing that my efforts are part of a larger enterprise working to move the needle on these critical issues would be incredibly motivating and meaningful.
Secondly, the immense breadth of employment opportunities available in the federal public service is very attractive to me as someone with diverse interests and a desire for career mobility. The Public Service Commission notes in its most recent annual report that the federal government is the country’s largest employer, with over 300,000 people working in more than 200 different departments and agencies across Canada and around the world (Public Service Commission, 2022). The variety of roles and positions is staggering – from analysts to accountants to scientists to diplomats and everything in between. As someone with an educational background in public policy, economics, and environmental studies, I can envision multiple pathways that would allow me to apply my knowledge and skills. Many departments also offer opportunities for lateral mobility, be it through temporary assignments or even permanent relocation to regional offices across the country or Canadian missions abroad. The ability to switch roles or departments to gain exposure to different issues and build new competencies is something I value immensely. From a long-term career perspective, public service is ideal for someone like me who knows I want to dedicate my career to public policy but is keen to explore multiple avenues throughout that career.
In addition to the breadth of roles, the public service provides ample opportunities for upward career progression and advancement, which is essential to me as an ambitious young professional. The clearly defined levels and classifications, from entry-level to executive cadres, lay out potential career paths spanning years or even decades (Treasury Board of Canada, n.d.). The public service has a strong culture of learning and development, investing heavily in training and leadership development programs to help employees acquire new skills and competencies throughout their careers. Managers are expected to have regular career discussions with their employees as part of performance management processes. Many affinity groups and networks also provide mentorship and support to employees looking to progress. The structured and transparent approach to career progression is very appealing, as it would allow me to see a long-term future for myself and have clear goals to work towards. Reaching the executive or deputy minister level one day is exciting.
Another highly appealing aspect of public service is the inclusive and diverse nature of the workforce and workplace culture. As a Métis woman, I value working in an environment that embraces diversity and strives to be representative of the population it serves. In recent years, the federal government has shown a solid commitment to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion. The most recent employment equity report shows that all four designated equity-seeking groups (women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples) are increasingly represented across all levels of the public service, with many departments meeting or exceeding workforce availability for those groups (Treasury Board of Canada, 2022). Beyond just representation, numerous employee networks, commemoration events, and learning activities are designed to foster an inclusive workplace culture. Reconciliation and anti-racism efforts have become significant priorities across the public service. As a Métis person, my cultural background and experience would be valued in the public service. I would have a sense of belonging and opportunities to help shape policies and programs to serve Indigenous communities better. The public service’s efforts to build a diverse and inclusive workforce and Workplace align well with my values and make it an even more appealing employer.
From a practical day-to-day perspective, the competitive pay and comprehensive benefits offered to federal public servants are also attractive. While salaries and specific benefits vary by occupational group and classification level, the compensation generally appears quite competitive, especially for entry and mid-level roles. A review of selected collective agreements and rates of pay charts shows that base salaries for common entry-level positions are in the $50,000-70,000 range, with additional non-salary benefits adding considerably to the total compensation package (Treasury Board of Canada, n.d.). Health insurance, dental plans, pensions, generous vacation allotments, and other leave provisions provide a strong foundation for personal well-being and financial security. While private sector roles may have higher top-end earning potential for senior executives, the overall compensation trajectory in the public service is very competitive and would allow for a comfortable lifestyle. Combined with the job security that comes with indeterminate positions and the overall stability of the public sector, I could enjoy a measure of financial comfort while pursuing a meaningful career. As someone who values experiences more than material possessions, the compensation would more than meet my needs while providing peace of mind.
The public service’s progressive approach to human resources and support for work-life balance are other aspects that make it an appealing employer. Like many in my generation, my job is just one facet of my identity and overall life. While I want a fulfilling career, I also want to be able to pursue my other passions, spend time with family and friends, and contribute to my community. The public service has been a leader in implementing flexible work arrangements and supporting the well-being of its workforce. Innovative policies like compressed work weeks, job sharing, and remote work opportunities have become increasingly common (Mullins et al., 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated the shift to virtual and remote work, and all indications are that the public service will continue to support telework and hybrid arrangements on a large scale going forward. These options are hugely appealing for someone like me who thrives with more flexibility and personal agency over where and when I work. I also appreciate the investments and resources being put into employee mental health and well-being support, including the Federal Workplace Mental Health Strategy and the Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace. Employee well-being is becoming a serious priority, essential to me as an employer.
Of course, employers are flawed, and I have considered some potential drawbacks of a public service career. The government is an enormous bureaucracy, and with that comes a slower pace of change and the need to navigate complex approval processes and hierarchies to get things done. It could sometimes feel stifling or impersonal compared to a small non-profit or start-up environment. Public servants must also be responsive to the political priorities of the government of the day. With each election cycle, sizeable shifts in mandate and focus are possible. It may be frustrating to work on an initiative for months or years only to have it deprioritized or scrapped entirely with a change in government. Some public servants need help to balance their desire to provide neutral, evidence-based advice with the need to support partisan decisions and maintain the trust of elected officials. These realities are only sometimes straightforward and could lead to disillusionment or cynicism if managed well. However, the positives of a public service career far outweigh these potential negatives. The opportunity to do meaningful, impactful work and contribute to the country’s betterment is a powerful motivating force for me.
My skills, competencies, and character are well-suited to a public service career. My educational background in public policy and sustainability and my previous experience interning with a federal department give me a solid intellectual foundation in how government works and the major policy issues we face as a society. I am naturally curious and a lifelong learner, two essential traits for success in an ever-evolving public service context. My ability to think critically and analytically while still understanding the big picture will serve me well in policy development and program implementation. At the same time, I am highly collaborative and work well in team settings. I value building positive relationships and working through challenges collectively. I am also an adept communicator, able to share information clearly and compellingly, both verbally and in writing. I am motivated to improve continuously and be part of something bigger than myself – contributing to a shared mission and purpose. All of these traits align well with public service’s core competencies and values. Considering my values, working style, and long-term career goals, I feel I would be a good fit for a public service environment.
In conclusion, I am deeply excited about pursuing a long and varied career as a federal public servant in Canada. The opportunity to do meaningful work that serves the greater public good and helps improve the lives of Canadians is incredibly appealing and motivating to me. I am inspired by the vast range of roles and possibilities for growth and advancement within the public service and the ability to explore different departments and domains throughout a career. My strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and my respectful and supportive workplace culture align well with my values and identity as a Métis woman. I am drawn to the competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the increasing emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being. While I recognize that no employer is perfect and there can be drawbacks to government bureaucracy, I firmly believe the positives outweigh the negatives. Everything I have read, learned, and experienced has solidified my interest in a public service career. I feel my skills, education, and personal attributes would enable me to make a valuable contribution to Canada’s world-class public service. It is an exciting and inspiring potential career path that I would be honored to pursue.
References
Advisory Committee on Senior Level Retention and Compensation. (2015). Advisory Committee Reports. Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/performance-talent-management/advisory-committee-senior-level-retention-compensation.html
Institute of Public Administration of Canada. (2016). Facing the Future: Exploring Recruitment and Retention of New Public Servants in Canada. Toronto: Institute of Public Administration of Canada.
Lam, A., & Ng, E.S. (2020). Representative Bureaucracy in Canada: Multiculturalism in the Public Service. In: Sullivan, H., Dickinson, H., Henderson, H. (eds). The Palgrave Handbook of the Public Servant. Palgrave Macmillan.
Mau, T. A. (2019). Enhancing leadership capacity in the public sector: branding as an employer of choice. International Journal of Public Leadership, 15(3), 155-169.
Mullins, L. B., Charbonneau, É., & Riccucci, N. M. (2021). The Effects of Family Responsibilities Discrimination on Public Employees’ Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions: Can Flexible Work Arrangements Help? Review of Public Personnel Administration, 41(2), 384-410.
Privy Council. (2022). Annual Report of the Clerk of the Privy Council to the Prime Minister on the Status of the Public Service, 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/privy-council/corporate/transparency/annual-report-prime-minister-public-service/30th.html
Public Policy Forum. (2017). Building a Dynamic Future: The Next Generation of Public Service Talent. Final Report. Ottawa: Public Policy Forum.
Public Service Commission. (2022). Annual Report 2022–23: Building Tomorrow’s Public Service Today. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2022-2023.html
Treasury Board of Canada. (2022). Employment Equity in the Public Service of Canada for Fiscal Year 2021 to 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/wellness-inclusion-diversity-public-service/diversity-inclusion-public-service/employment-equity-annual-reports/employment-equity-public-service-canada-2021-2022.html
Treasury Board of Canada. (n.d.). Collective agreements and rates of pay for the public service. https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/agreements-conventions/list-eng.aspx
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