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CNN Sunday Morning

Government Jobs are Becoming More Popular

Aired October 28, 2001 - 08:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Just a couple of years ago, the dot- com boom and the robust economy made working a government job seem a little passe, to be frank; but that's changing.

As CNN's Brooks Jackson reports, some people believe working for Uncle Sam is the most patriotic thing they can do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the federal government, so it's very good pay.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a very aggressive training program at (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

BROOKS JACKSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not long ago, a government job might have seemed downright uncool. No more.

ANGELA HANSEL, SENIOR, INFORMATION SYSTEMS: Since September 11 happened it's kind of been -- been more interested in helping out.

JACKSON: At this college job fair at Old Dominion University in Virginia, government recruiters were getting lots more inquiries than before.

MICHAEL MALONEY, SOCIAL SECURITY AUDITOR: I think people are feeling maybe a little more patriotic and looking to work for the government. So I'm trying to inspire them with my tie.

JACKSON (on camera): And is that working?

MALONEY: I think so. I've collected a lot more resumes and we've interviewed more people, and we're looking to hire a few of them.

JACKSON (voice-over): Government jobs look more attractive, in part, because there are fewer private sector jobs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's government or private, it doesn't matter. Just as long as they can give me, you know, the experience that I need.

JACKSON: But September 11 is clearly a factor, too.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's made me more receptive to want to go into the government after college.

JACKSON: This former Navy linguist thought she left government jobs behind, until September 11.

JACKIE HURWITZ, SENIOR, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: Mostly, I guess, I want to contribute to the cause. And so government does look a lot more attractive.

JACKSON: It's happening all over. A national survey of workers shows 18 percent say their interest in working for the federal government has increased since September 11. Only 5 percent say it decreased.

And that comes just in time. The federal workforce is getting old.

MAX STIER, PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE: The government is in dire need of new help, new talent. We're looking at immense, very, very large retirement figures in the near term.

JACKSON: You can see that here: 19 federal agencies recruiting, up from 16 last year.

TOM WUNDERLICH, OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY: I think it is a more aggressive approach that the federal government is taking to acquiring new talent.

JACKSON: And since September 11, more young talent is also seeking the government.

TIM EGAN, SENIOR, ENGLISH AND JOURNALISM: You just want to get in there and get into the market.

JACKSON (on camera): And right now the government market looks better than the private market?

EGAN: Absolutely.

JACKSON: So maybe it's patriotism, and maybe it's the economy. Probably both. Whatever the reason, working for Washington is getting cool again.

Brooks Jackson, CNN, Norfolk, Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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