Private Sector Jobs
What is the Private Sector?
A Public Administration degree in the Private Sector can be a real advantage to job candidates, but what exactly is the Private Sector, and what kinds of jobs are there in the industry?
Well, in the simplest terms, the private sector is any organization that isn’t under the jurisdiction of the government. A non-profit could, however, also fall into that category, so let’s narrow it down a bit more. What separates private sector and nonprofit businesses is the fact that all private sector businesses are for-profit companies. Private sector businesses are run with the intention of making a profit and can be publicly or privately traded. The industry employs more people than the public sector, and in a wider range of disciplines.
The application of a private sector Public Administration Degree proves to be equally as vast. From budget specialists to communication directors, the skills from the public sector transfer easily into the private sector, some even having the same titles. In general, filling private sector jobs requires applicants who have a strong sense of social responsibility, an analytical approach to problem-solving, and the ability manage resources in the face of budgetary restrictions.
Private and Public Sector Partnerships
While it’s common that the skills from one sector will transfer to the other, it’s also common that the two will partner up for a special project or cause. “Private-sector businesses” leverage governmental assets and resources while developing, financing, owning and operating public facilities or services. For example, a private company might pay the state a one-time fee to operate a specific freeway for a set time, in exchange for the revenue from tolls. Overall, having skill sets in both areas can be very beneficial, especially for positions that go back and forth between each sector.
Public and Private: What’s the difference?
While it’s pretty clear that skills from both sectors can be beneficial wherever you take them, there are key differences in how they are applied in the private sector.
Take a look at some of the jobs that make up the large—and growing—private sector.
Below are some private sector jobs that work well with an MPA degree. The skills learned in an MPA (and related degrees) make candidates highly competitive within both the public and the private sector.
- Human Resources Management: HR professionals have many responsibilities that cover things from workplace safety and payroll to policy development. Day to day, an HR manager is focused on communication, leadership, and organization. Developing a corporate culture and enforcing that culture are a big part of HR that drives the direction of the company as a whole.
- Administration Consultant: Consulting is a fast growing part of the Public Administration industry. Corporations must align themselves with laws and policies of local government, so consultants analyze business practices to make sure they are doing this effectively and efficiently. They can make recommendations for changes, and must be fully versed in public policy and budgeting issues.
- Corporate Responsibility Manager: Many people who work in corporate responsibility are experts in balancing corporate responsibilities with social ones. Keeping the business accountable and making sure their effect on the community is a positive one is essential to the success of a business, making this role highly valued in the corporate world.
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