PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND WHO IS A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR?
Public Administration is the study of the art and science of management as applied to the affairs of the state. It is the non-political public bureaucracy operating in a political system as it plays an important role in the formulation of public policy at all levels from national to grassroot. Public administration focuses on the planning, organising, directing, coordinating and controlling of government actions. A public administrator is a person who studied Public administration in University or College. While studying public administration, you will develop the leadership and management skills and you will be taught how to manage people efficiently and how to inspire them for productive work. You will learn how to be a leader and how to transfer tasks to other workers.
WHERE DO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR WORK?
Besides career in government, there are many ways you can use your skills and knowledge received by a degree in Public Administration. Graduates can find themselves in health care, communications, media, human resource and any area related to management and communication with people. This degree is suitable for people who want to have careers in public management, policy making and non profit sector. For example, public administrators can work at the Civic Centre, government agencies, banks, policy making institutions such as Policy Monitoring and Research Centre, Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research etc.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Public Administrators perform various tasks depending on the organisation. They however often fulfill administrative roles such as providing information to clients and overseeing and implementing various programs for organisations. They are often responsible for directing and advising organisation employees like researchers, program officers and consultants. They might also evaluate programs and services within an organisation as well as implement changes to public policy initiatives
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR?
The work schedule or shifts of a public administrator depends on the organisation one is working for. If one is working for a government department, they typically follow the normal 08hrs to 17hrs work schedule Monday to Friday.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
The job market for public administrators is good because every institution needs management no matter the size. The chances are higher that one will find a job in NGO’s and profit-making organisations. The government is another employer in its various government ministries and agencies.
SALARY RANGE
Entry level salaries for a graduate as of 2020 started from 4500zmw to 8000zmw depending on the size of the company. As one gains experience and changes companies, salaries can go to 15,000zmw with 3years experience and more. Thereafter depending on experience and the skills one develops on the job, salary can go from 25,000zmw to 30,000zmw. All these figures are net salaries.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy being a public administrator, you need to be a person who loves social science-based subjects. You also need to be a person who is well organised, pay attention to detail, take leadership roles and ensure the smooth running of operations needed to meet the mission and objectives of an organisation
WHERE CAN I STUDY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, FOR HOW LONG, TO EARN WHAT QUALIFICATION?
In Zambia there is the University of Zambia, The National Institute of Public Administration. The Mulungushi University, The University of Lusaka, Zambia Open University etc. that offer a degree program in Public Administration. Public Administration degrees run for four years.
WHAT COURSES WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
When one enrols into university to study Public Administration at the University of Zambia for example, they will be compulsory courses that one needs to take such as public administration with Political Science and two other social science courses of the student’s choice. In the following years they start to narrow down to more management courses such as Organisation Design, Organisation Behavior, Human Resource, Public Policy Analysis, National Government, Local Government among others.
WHAT MODES OF STUDY ARE AVAILABLE?
The modes of study available are both full time and distance learning
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
As most social science-based programs, its competitive and entry depends on the levels of competition in the University. Typically, they look for credits in five subjects and better which should include Mathematics and English with three other subjects.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR?
Public Administration can be substituted by other programs such as Business Administration or Human Resources Management or even Project Management degrees.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Once you study public administration, you may decide to pursue a masters degree. A masters degree gives you a upper hand when it comes to finding new jobs in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a masters degree one would become a university lecturer as well. Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Human Resource Management and Masters in Public Administration among others are some of the Masters that one can undertake.