GovernmentExecutive.com

A high-profile Republican senator appealed Tuesday for talented young college graduates to join the federal workforce.

During an event hosted by the advocacy group Partnership for Public Service, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., spoke to a standing-room only crowd of congressional interns and commended them for their interest in public service.

"I thank you for your consideration of serving a cause greater than your self-interest ... there is nothing, nothing more rewarding," said McCain, who is widely known for his military service during the Vietnam War and more than five years spent as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.

Max Stier, the president of the Partnership for Public Service, noted the overflowing crowd and jokingly referenced a famous line from the 1989 film, Field of Dreams, saying, "If you have Sen. McCain, they will come."

McCain follows several other high-profile public servants who have publicly praised the civil service and called on the nation's youth to consider working for the government. In April, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge spoke to 70 senior executives who were receiving the country's highest civilian service award, and said their chosen path is "a career that matters. It is a pursuit that motivates." In March, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor addressed an audience that had gathered to honor her career and told them civil servants must "teach the young" and "tell them how satisfying it is to contribute something in the public sector."

McCain's appearance drew hundreds of prospective federal employees and he appealed to their patriotism. He mentioned Pat Tillman, who turned down a multimillion-dollar professional football contract to enlist in the Army. Tillman was killed recently by friendly fire in Afghanistan. McCain also discussed Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who was a leader of the civil rights movement. He told the interns that their public service might not be as dramatic as Tillman's or Lewis', but it would still be important.

"Sometimes it's not a glamorous job," he said. "Sometimes it's helping someone who has nowhere else to turn...Believe me, there are a thousand ways to serve."

The partnership brought together representatives from several federal agencies to speak with interns about possible paths to federal employment. Jeffery Vargas, an Energy Department employee, told the interns that they should be patient with the job-seeking process. He took the unusual step of directly contacting the Energy secretary - through a mutual friend - to find his job.

"We know the [federal hiring] system is not working," Vargas said, adding that he believes OPM will reform the process soon. "I knew the Department of Energy secretary and it still took me eight months to get hired."

He added that that federal employment is worth the wait.

"If you weren't inspired about government service before Sen. McCain," Vargas said, "my goodness, you should be now."

COMMENTS

• Reply to "Waiting to Retire" - It's unfortunate that you feel the way you do about federal employment. Your butt kissing comment is unfortunate and untrue in my case. I don't think I'm the one in a fantasy world: I go to work on time, put in a full day, give 110% to my job and Yankee work ethic has paid off for me. I have no buddies looking out for me. To answer your question, yes many of my coworkers have also been afforded the same positive experiences as me. I suppose this makes us fortunate but believe me - there's no buddy system. I believe that private sector has many flaws too and no protections for the employee that federal employment has in place. Wishing you well in your retirement. I know if I was in the private sector, I would not have as good a retirement as I will have. Think "IBM." GovExec.com reader Posted July 22, 2004 8:22 AM
• In response to Jacksonville FL--many of the long-term disgruntled have been in the non-public sector and we know it is not all better. We also are bound by the golden handcuffs of leave category 3 and retirement benefits. That does not mean we should not seek imoprovement of the federal government workplace. GovExec.com reader Posted July 21, 2004 12:05 PM
• In reply to Scott-I was with you until your AWB comment. Show me an "average" minority that gets ahead. Why should an "average" anybody get promoted to the exclsion of others? I have a degree from a top-tier school, many masters degree credits as well, along with a professional designation in my career field and extensive and varied experience. My office mate is the same grade as I, yet has only a two-year degree from a nondescript school and no masters degree credits or any other qualifications. Plus, he has been out of the acquisition career field for over a decade. Why are we at the same level? White male and black female, guess which one I am? GovExec.com reader Posted July 21, 2004 12:02 PM