When I was a kid, I knew I wanted to help people. At first, I dreamed of being a teacher, then a veterinarian, then an attorney. I knew I wanted to serve others but never fully understood or thought about what it would be like to be a public servant. Luckily, when I was in college, I attended a career fair with a diverse group of potential future employers, including some were government agencies. When I spoke to these agencies I could see the joy and feel the dedication they had for their jobs. They convinced me to apply for internships and the rest is history. 

From my first day working for the government, I could tell I would never want to leave. I encountered some of the kindest people I had ever met. They were so passionate about their work and willing to put the mission above everything else, including their own personal lives. I met men and women who had to be apart from their families and who were willing to be on call 24/7. These people sacrifice so much everyday. 

Public servants are driven by their passions, yet we are all connected to the greater goal of serving the public. Being a public servant is so much more than it may seem. It’s more than deadlines, more than just a 9-to-5 job, more than emails and phone calls. It’s about accomplishing a mission. What I love most about being a public servant is the emphasis on people and not on numbers. In many jobs, the main focus is on making money. As a public servant, our attention is on contributing to our community by providing services people will benefit from. Whether the work is taking phone calls, creating strategic plans, arresting major criminals, seeing patients, protecting the environment, delivering the mail, conducting data analysis, or sweeping the floors, it all contributes to the same greater goal. Each little bit of service matters. Each position has its own goal, and each one creates a lasting impact on this country.

I am proud to be a public servant; I serve because I care about justice and keeping our country safe. 

I want to thank all my fellow public servants for their hard work and dedication to making our country a better place. Your individual contributions matter more than you will ever know. 

Public Service Recognition Week has been celebrated every year since 1985. This year, May 3rd through May 9th is our chance to thank those who chose to serve as federal, state, county, and local government employees. Take time to honor those who serve us. 

For ideas on how to participate in Public Service Recognition Week, please visit https://psrw.ourpublicser