How Government Can Get Sh*t Done: Caitlin Lewis on Solving the Public Service Crisis

This week, we bring you another episode of our series on How Government Can Get Sh*t Done, as host Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Caitlin Lewis. Caitlin is the Executive Director of Work for America, an organization committed to addressing the talent shortage in public service by connecting qualified and passionate problem solvers with positions in state and local government. In today’s conversation, she speaks with Debbie about the shifting public service landscape under the Trump Administration, the economic challenges facing state budgets, and the unique opportunities for state and local government workforces in the wake of federal layoffs. They also talk about Work For America’s new program, Civic Match, and Caitlin’s own motivations for seeking a career in public service. She draws on her own experiences to share methods for incentivizing college students to apply for government roles after graduation and how best to retain them. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:05] Welcoming the executive director of Work for America, Caitlin Lewis.

• [02:30] Caitlin tells us about Work for America and what they do.

• [05:25] The public crisis America is facing and how to fix it.

• [08:55] The shift she’s seeing in public service.

• [12:33] How the current economic climate will affect states’ hiring ability.

• [15:04] Caitlin explains what Civic Match is and how it works.

• [21:24] What made Caitlin pursue a career in public service.

• [26:33] How to encourage college graduates to be excited about government roles.

• [28:56] Caitlin’s tips for people trying to recruit and retain bright, young workers.

• [31:02] Why she’s concerned about how quickly the government can deliver.

• [33:08] Our guest shares her hope for how we can emerge from these difficulties.