Public service refers to services that are deemed to be so essential for human life that for moral reasons their universal provision should be guaranteed. These services can be delivered in many ways: by government agencies, a volunteer fire department or ambulance corps; companies or charities contracted to deliver them; or the voluntary work of teachers and nurses. A key principle is that they should be based on a shared culture of the public interest, and governed by an overriding sense of public responsibility and service.
Government workers do not always get the recognition they deserve. They can be portrayed as incompetent, corrupt or hypocritical; scandals break and relationships of trust are shattered; 24 hour news and cynicism spreads distrust. But a strong internal culture with the overriding purpose of serving the public is a critical part of the pact that government and its officials form with the people they govern, mobilising them to uphold their responsibilities in the interests of all, and providing an ethical compass.
A commitment to public service can be demonstrated through undergraduate programs that offer a wide variety of specialisations; by volunteering, joining political organisations or co-curricular clubs and/or by demonstrating passion for an issue through your studies or personal life. Many graduate degree programs seek to enroll students who demonstrate a dedication to the mission of their program, and a desire to make positive impact in society. This can be through advocacy, social work and/or research.