A significant disconnect between Gen Z’s values and their career choices is leaving thousands of government positions vacant across the United States. Despite research indicating that Gen Z is more aligned with public service values than previous generations, they currently make up only 9% of the federal workforce.
The Civics Gap
Experts point to a decline in civics education as a primary driver of this trend. With less than one-quarter of 8th-grade students reaching proficiency in civics, many young people enter the workforce without understanding how government institutions function or the variety of professional roles required to maintain them. This lack of exposure has led to a widespread misconception that government work is limited or inefficient.
Bridging the Awareness Divide
Local governments are now experimenting with targeted recruitment to address these persistent vacancies. In Denver, the "See Yourself Here" campaign has successfully utilized digital marketing to highlight diverse career paths within local government, resulting in increased application rates. Similarly, some states are implementing legislative mandates, such as requiring civics testing or student-led projects, to foster earlier engagement with government processes.
To secure a future talent pipeline, researchers suggest that public sector organizations must move beyond traditional recruitment. By loosening restrictive degree requirements, emphasizing the impact of public service, and addressing concerns regarding salary and work-life balance, government agencies hope to convert Gen Z’s inherent trust in local institutions into long-term career commitments.
