Careers in Public Service

By Amelia Vogler, ‘11

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has acquired several positions of public distinction: former mayor of the city of Richmond, former lieutenant governor and governor of Virginia, and current chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Kaine is also a senior distinguished lecturer on law and leadership studies at the University of Richmond.

Out of all of his accomplishments, however, he said that he is most proud of his career spent serving the public. His challenge of working with diverse groups with varied interests to reach a common solution pushed him to exceed his own expectations.

Kaine’s message of public service kicked off the Government, Public Policy & Law Expo Oct. 18, which was sponsored by the Career Development Center, Office of Alumni and Career Services. More than 100 students looking to follow in the former Virginia governor’s footsteps attended the expo, which in addition to Kaine’s keynote address, featured 12 government, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, including the CIA, Peace Corps, Teach for America and U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Students interested in careers in local, state and national government agencies and nonprofit and non-governmental organizations attended to network with organization representatives and learn more about potential career paths.

“The government and nonprofit sectors are two of the top five most popular career interest areas among current Richmond students,” said Joslyn Bedell, a CDC assistant director. “Thirty-three percent of the class of 2009 reported having an internship in government or nonprofit organizations prior to graduation. We knew that an expo centered around this popular area of interest would be very successful and beneficial to students.”

Ben Paul, a senior majoring in political science, attended both Kaine’s speech and the expo. Paul is most interested in health care policy or political work on Capitol Hill. He said that the expo helped him meet potential employers while also learning more about their specific organizations.

Lucas Hakkenberg, a junior double majoring in political science and leadership studies, attended the expo to explore his post-graduation options.

“[Gov. Kaine] was very strong and insightful on how to take a broad desire for public service and narrow it down, focus on a career path and then a city within that and see how that career path allows you to effect real change,” Hakkenberg said.

Chelsea Metivier, a sophomore majoring in political science, philosophy, economics and law, found Kaine’s speech to be the perfect beginning to the expo, helping her to think broadly about career paths in public service.

“I thought it was really interesting how he talked about not necessarily straying from political science classes but not to make them your main focus,” she said. “If you know you would like to do public service and work in the government in some capacity, it’s important to have extra knowledge in classes outside of political science so you can bring a different perspective to the table.”

Paul also echoed Metivier’s feelings about the importance of Kaine’s speech.

“The speech was a reminder that we do not have to be on a set path just because of our initial choices,” Paul said.