Interviews with Public Figures: Public Service Pathways

Lesson 5.2 Learning Materials

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Lesson Overview

The following interviews are meant to provide examples of the public service pathways you might pursue in your final civic engagement plan assignment. This information will not appear on the module quiz.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain how civic engagement and mobilization contribute to American identity and community building.
Compare and contrast the concept of a personal identity and a shared American identity.

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Learning Materials

To successfully complete the assignments, study the materials below, which present the important concepts of this lesson.

Public Service Employment

Are you ready to apply your skills now? Explore public service employment options by identifying positions within local, state, or national government, within a nonprofit organization, or an educational institution. You can serve your community through your everyday work, providing the vital services we need to have robust, and healthy communities.

John Bridgeland Interview "Public Service Employment Pathway"

In this video excerpt, Dr. Koppell interviews John Bridgeland of Civic Enterprises (http://www.civicenterprises.net). Mr. Bridgeland discusses his public service employment pathway through government and provides valuable career advice for those interested in mobilizing others to work on public problems.

Transcript: Public Service Employment Pathway

"Public Service Pathway: Public Service Employment", Jonny Yao, Director of Digital Strategies, First Focus

In this video, Jonny discusses how he combined his bachelor’s degree and service experience to decide what type of work to do. He tapped into his identity as a storyteller and his passion for children’s advocacy. As the Director of Digital Strategies, he shares stories and policy issues that affect children.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: Public Service Employment

Social Entrepreneurship/Private Sector Employment

Did you know that you can affect change in your community by working in the private sector? Perhaps you are interested in starting your own business or working in one of the millions of organizations that drive our economy and society. Being civically engaged is a possibility within any profession. Working in the private sector provides you with the opportunity to join a leadership organization or a professional development organization where you can build networks to address issues within your field and your community.

Kimber Lanning Interview "Public Service Pathway: Private Sector/Entrepreneurship"

In this video excerpt, Dr. Koppell interviews Kimber Lanning of Local First Arizona (https://www.localfirstaz.com/). Ms. Lanning discusses her career pathway in the private sector from her identity as a small business owner through social entrepreneurship.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: Private Sector/Entrepreneurship

"Public Service Pathway: Social Entrepreneurship" Whitney Parnell, Founder & CEO, Service Never Sleeps

In this video, Whitney discusses her work as a social entrepreneur with the organization Service Never Sleeps. She started this non-profit organization based on her identities as an African American woman who witness global inequities in her youth abroad and combined this with her passion for service after completing a two-year stint with AmeriCorps.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: Social Entrepreneurship

Political Engagement

Are you interested in shaping your local, state, or national community through the policies and laws that were created to address them? If yes, political engagement might be the right pathway for you. There are many types of political engagement. For example, you could help canvas for specific policy issues in partnership with advocacy groups. you could join a campaign to help elect someone to office or run for office yourself. Political engagement gives you the opportunity to channel your civic engagement through the government office that has the most impact on your community issue, be that local, state, or national.

Congressman Ed Pastor Interview "Public Service Pathway: Political Engagement"

In this video excerpt, Dr. Koppell interviews the late Congressman Ed Pastor. Congressman Pastor discusses his public service pathway through political engagement that started in his youth by appreciating his culture and moving among his different identities as Hispanic, pro-labor, Catholic, from a mining family. Later he pursued his identity as a teacher to work with Hispanic and Yaqui adults which exposed him to the United Farmworkers Movement and became a political organizer to recall the Governor in response to the law outlawing the small hoe.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: Political Engagement- Ed Pastor

Public Service Pathway: “Political Engagement”, James Arwood

In this video, James Arwood discusses his pathway to political engagement which was ignited through his intense values of fairness and opportunities of all. He now serves as the regional political coordinator for the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee in Legislative District 28.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: “Political Engagement-Arwood

National Service

Are you ready to make a 10-12 month commitment within your community or a community somewhere in the United States? Does it excite you to think about getting started now, to address issue areas such as education, environment, health, public safety, and more? A National Service Year may be the right path for you. In a Service Year, you will be able to see other parts of the US or serve in your own community while being paid for your service.

"Public Service Pathway: National Service", Taylor Mitchell, City Year

In this video, Taylor shares her service experience in her National Service program where she followed her passion for teaching others using creativity and innovation. She then created and led service opportunities for others.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: National Service

Higher Education

Do you see a need in your community that would require you to have specific skills or certifications to fill? Or perhaps you're interested in understanding why things occur in your community? A 2 or 4-year degree from a college or university may be the right path for you. In an academic environment, you will learn specific skills and an academic framework unique to your discipline.

"Public Service Pathway: Higher Education", Breanna Carpenter

In this video, recent graduate Breanna Carpenter discusses how by pursuing a bachelor’s degree and continuing in higher education, she has become educated on the many factors impacting complex social problems and the various opportunities to make an impact as her civic engagement.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: Higher Education

Military Service

For some, civic engagement is strongly tied to a sense of patriotism or duty to protect and serve your country. If you feel a strong commitment to your community and country, military service might be the right path for you. The United States Armed Forces has five branches you can explore: the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and the United States Coast Guard.

"Public Service Pathway: Military Service", Timothy Rogers

In this video, Timothy Rogers discusses his service in the US Military and how his identity as a soldier and a veteran shaped his interests and civic engagement as he now works in city government providing support services to veterans.

Transcript: Public Service Pathway: Military Service

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Suggested Interaction Prompt for Yellowdig

Consider the following:

Pick two or three of the interviews and explain what each public figure said about each of these concepts: constructing identity; the identity divide; and overcoming the identity divide.
Pick at least two of the interviews you think offer the best suggestion(s) for overcoming the identity divide and explain why you think this(these) suggestion(s) are the best.

Go to the Yellowdig Discussion

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