State & Local Government

When you think about government work, it’s easy to jump straight to the federal level. However, for candidates looking to make a difference close to home, or who want to stay connected to a particular location throughout their career, state and local government can be a great option. 

As a state, county, or city government employee, you often get the opportunity to do much of the same work that you could do at the federal level. State employees work on a wide range of issues from the implementation of policies regarding healthcare, education, and public works, to state travel and tourism initiatives, to international trade affecting companies located in the state, to working with the state’s elected officials.

It’s also worth noting that state and local government can be a great way to gain experience and relevant skills as a first step toward a different career field, including the federal government, but also law, policy, and nonprofit work. State governments often post a variety of LTE- Limited Term Employment – jobs, which last for anywhere from a few months to a year. For students who need a stopgap in between undergrad and a postgraduate program, or who want to get a foot in the door of a certain state agency, LTE jobs can be a fantastic opportunity.