The public service exists to address the needs of the members of a community. As the name implies they are in existence to serve the community and the growth and progress of a given community is dependent on the effectiveness of the public service in that given location. They can either be funded or undertaken by the government. Alternatively, the government can offer funding to private agencies to carry out the related activities.
The mode in which they carry out their activities should not be the issue as what is important is that they carry out their due diligence to the benefit of society. Public services include areas like healthcare, wasted service removal, and transportation among other areas. It is important that adequate attention is given to this sector and prospective public servants are offered the right opportunities to equip themselves with sufficient knowledge and resources to be able to carry out their assigned activities with excellence. We’d explore some of the opportunities available for international students and how they can harness them. But before we delve into that, remember to subscribe to our newsletter for more updates like this one.
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Table of Contents
Why is a career in the public service important?
Public service is one of the sectors in society that should not be ignored because of their contribution to the progress and well-being of the members of society. Also, having a heart for service is one of the important requirements of a public servant being that they have to offer selfless service to the For prospective students wondering the benefits they stand to enjoy as public servants, we have listed them out below:
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1. Job security
As prospective public servants, one of the benefits you stand to enjoy is the availability of a stable job. The public sector has the backing of the government and their activities are also often funded by the government. So, issues of sudden closure or bankruptcy are not in the equation as job security is guaranteed. The consistency in getting paid and the guaranteed security can help planning to be effective. When you can plan, you’ll also be able to achieve the goals you have set.
2. The availability of flexible work hours
One of the perks of being in the public service is the availability of flexible working hours. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your life and attend to your family’s needs. Additionally, the probability of being overloaded with work will not be in the equation as your effectiveness is all that is required for you to thrive in this field.
3. Opportunity to help
Just like we stated earlier, being in the public service allows you to help people in your community. Since you’re offering services, you get to experience the joy of proffering solutions to people’s problems and there’s a deep sense of satisfaction that comes with it. This is one of the reasons why taking a job in the public sector is fulfilling.
4. Availability of staff training
There are different training opportunities available for workers in the public sector. Occasionally, they get to attend workshops, seminars, training, and conferences to gain insights on how to be more effective in carrying out their duties. This learning opportunity does not just help them function efficiently at work, it also contributes to helping them live better lives as individuals.
5. Pension schemes
Furthermore, another benefit of getting a job in the public service is the availability of pension schemes to guarantee plans. Unlike the private sector, working in the public sector gives people the opportunity to access pension schemes so that they can save as they work.
Types of Public Service Scholarships
We have compiled a list of scholarship opportunities available for students who want to pursue a career in the public service sector. They are listed below:
1. Future Global Leaders Scholarships Source
The Future Leaders Scholarships Source is open to international students who are either pursuing their undergraduate degrees or their master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. It is also a fully-funded scholarship. Some of the benefits of the scholarship include:
- Full sponsorship of program expenses
- Intense 3 weeks of leadership training
- Mentorship opportunity
- Access to career guidance essential tools
- Entry into the Fortis society
To learn more about the application process, click here.
Related: Scholarships For Women In Male-Dominated Fields
2. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2024Â
The Manaaki New Zealand scholarship is a prestigious scholarship that is sponsored by the government of New Zealand. The scholarship is open to international students who want to pursue their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at Universities in New Zealand. The benefits of international students stand to enjoy include:
- Fully-funded scholarship that covers tuition and other expenses
- Short-term training scholarships for workers to garner more knowledge in their field
Additionally, international students from every country are eligible to apply for the scholarship. To learn more about the application process, click here.
3. University Of Lapland Finland PhD ScholarshipsÂ
International students who want to pursue a career in public relations can take advantage of the University of Lapland Finland scholarship. There are many things to enjoy while studying in Finland. The universities in the country are known for tier research and innovation attributes and this guarantees that international students will enjoy access to quality education in a safe and stable environment. Some of the benefits of the scholarship for public service students include
- Payment of tuition fee
- Provision of living expenses
- Covers research costs.
To learn more about the application process for the University of Lapland scholarship in Finland, click here.
4. Public Service Scholars – Scholarship Program
The Johns Hopkins SAIS(School of Advanced International Studies) Public Service Scholars scholarship program is open to experienced professionals who want to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and are currently working in public service. Successful applicants who win the scholarship will be entitled to a 50% discount on the tuition fee at the Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington DC. Other benefits they stand to enjoy include:
- Access to conferences and seminars featuring policy leaders
- Opportunity to discuss with leaders and transformation enthusiasts.
- Guidance on career opportunities
Moreover, citizens from all countries are eligible to apply for the scholarship. To learn more about the application process, click here.
5. Â Netherlands Government Fully Funded Scholarships
The Netherlands Government scholarship is open to international students from non-EEA countries who want to pursue an undergraduate or a master’s degree in all subjects including the ones related to public service. Students have the opportunity to study at the Leiden University, Utrecht University, University of Groningen, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Maastricht University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, Tilburg University, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, Wageningen University and Research Centre. The scholarship lasts for one year and it offers € 5,000 to students. To learn more about the application process click here.
6. DAAD Helmut Schmidt Scholarship, Germany
The DAAD scholarship is sponsored by Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst and is open to international students who want to pursue a master’s degree in social sciences, political sciences, law, economics, and public administration. Some of the benefits offered include:
- Fully funded scholarships that cover all expenses
- A monthly stipend
- Health insurance and round-trip travel allowance
- Research subsidy and monthly rent where applicable
To learn more about the application process, click here.
7. MEXT Japan ScholarshipsÂ
Additionally, the MEXT Japan scholarship is open to international students who want to pursue a degree in any field including public service and public administration. However, to qualify for this scholarship, the candidate must first apply to APU (Aisa Pacific University) as the scholarship opportunity is awarded to outstanding international students who are recommended by APU. Some of the benefits of the scholarship include
- Covers tuition expenses
- Monthly stipend
- Round air-flight ticket
To learn more about the application process, click here.
Related: 20 Fellowships In Australia For Graduate International Students – Open Every Year
8. Cambridge PhD Scholarships And AwardsÂ
The Cambridge PhD scholarship is of two types. The first one is the Cambridge International Scholarship and the Vice Chancellor’s Awards Cambridge International Scholarship. The scholarship opportunity is open to international students who want to pursue a postdoctoral degree at the University of Cambridge. Some of the benefits include:
- Tuition fee
- Monthly stipend.
To learn more about the application process, click here.
9. Chevening Clore Leadership FellowshipÂ
Also, the Chevening Clore Leadership Fellowship is open to international students who are interested in leadership and development. It aims to equip them with the adequate knowledge, tools, and resources that they need to be excellent leaders in their chosen sphere. Public servants who desire to make an impact in their community can also apply for the scholarship. Some of the benefits of the scholarship include
- Flight ticket
- Living expenses
- Participation in courses and conferences and more.
To learn more about the application process, click here.
10. Copenhagen University PhD ScholarshipsÂ
The Copenhagen Univerisity Ph.D. scholarship is open to international students who want to pursue a career in public administration and public policy. However, it is only open to qualified applicants. It is also important to note that only partial funding is available. To learn more about the application process, click here.
Application Tips for Public Service Scholarships
For international students who are looking forward to applying for scholarships to improve their careers in public service, below are some important tips that can help you successfully apply for and win scholarship opportunities:
- Ensure you do not miss the deadline for the application. You must apply as early as possible as many other people will apply for the same scholarship spot.
- Check the university’s websites to find scholarship opportunities that you can apply for. Many times, schools often update their websites to include scholarship opportunities that international students can apply for to help with the cost of their education.
- Check out websites that post scholarship updates regularly to keep you updated. Subscribe to our newsletter for scholarship updates.
- You can look out for scholarships that are open to your particular discipline.
- Ensure that you meet up with the eligibility requirements. Additionally, ensure that you provide all the information that is requested.
- Moreover, do not forget the deadline. Make sure you submit your application before the deadline.
- Get someone to help proofread your application. Do not forget to double-check it to ensure all the answers are accurate.
- Reach out to other people who have applied before to get important tips that can aid your application process
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Fields in the Public Service
There are different fields/sectors in the public service. As prospective civil service students, you can choose to work in any of them. The various sectors of public service include:
- Courts
- Education
- Electricity
- Emergency services
- Environmental protection
- Health care
- Military
- Public buildings
- Public libraries
- Public parks
- Public policy
- Public Utilities
- Public transportation
- Social services
- State schools
- Telecommunications
- Transportation infrastructure
- Urban planning
- Waste management
- Water supply network
Start with us
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