Local government is the front line of public service. Though they play a crucial role connecting communities with essential support, state and local agencies are often chronically under resourced, especially when it comes to supporting tech talent.

At the local level, there is a pressing need for dedicated and talented young professionals that can apply skills in areas like cyber, AI and business to drive more efficiency in government and communities.

The good news for local government is that there’s great interest in mission-oriented work. According to a Deloitte report, 89% of millennials and 86% of Gen Z expressed desire for a sense of purpose in their job.

We’ve seen it within our own programs as well, with more than 1,200 tech and business graduates applying to be placed in yearlong public service roles via our 2025 NobleReach Scholars cohort.

It’s clear the challenge isn’t interest. Young professionals with skills in key areas like cyber, AI and business are driven by the opportunity to make an impact, but the sometimes-unclear path to government employment can act as a barrier, limiting government access to sought-after technical expertise.

This challenge doesn’t need to be accepted, nor is it an insurmountable roadblock. We can bring these highly skilled young people into public service by giving students access to the skill sets necessary to thrive in local government roles, lighting a path to public service careers and supporting the development of mission-driven leaders across the public and private sectors.

A Career Pathway From School to Public Service

While universities do an excellent job preparing students for private sector work, the realities of launching a career in public service — especially at the state and local level — are rarely discussed. A curriculum tailored for public sector challenges can expose students to the skills they’ll need to thrive and will encourage them to consider government work as they envision their future career path.

Experiential learning, real-world applications and an opportunity to examine government problems in the classroom are essential. However, as in many fields, learning should take place not just on paper but also in the real world.

Read the full article about career pathways to public service by Pasquale (Pat) Tamburrino Jr. at Smart Cities Dive.