How to recruit young people to public service careers

Caitlin Lewis, Executive Director at Work For America, shares why Gen Z is more mission-driven than ever—and how state and local governments can better attract and retain the next generation of public servants.

Listen to the full episode:    • How Government Can Get Sh*t Done: Cai...  

In this thoughtful and forward-looking episode, Caitlin Lewis explores how the disruption of recent federal policies—while difficult—have opened the door to reimagining how government delivers services and attracts talent. She argues that the energy and interest among young people is already there—they just need better pathways to find public sector jobs.

Lewis discusses how Gen Z’s top career priorities—mission, purpose, and stability—perfectly align with public service, and how platforms like Civic Match can help connect students and recent grads with real state and local opportunities. But she also calls for governments to modernize their recruitment strategies, including aligning hiring timelines with the academic calendar and building stronger partnerships with local high schools, colleges, and universities.

For state and local leaders, she offers practical advice: meet students where they are, participate in career fairs, leverage internship programs, and—perhaps most importantly—develop a strong, clear pitch about why your work matters. As Lewis explains, the ability to communicate that value proposition is key to attracting top talent, no matter the location.

This episode is a must-listen for public sector leaders looking to build a future-ready workforce—and for anyone who believes in the power of purpose-driven government.