For many, idealism can't compete with the reality of student loans, combined with expectations of starting a family or simply living in a high-cost metropolitan area. Public service involves sacrifice, but self-sacrifice alone won't induce the supply of public servants to meet the demand for their skills. A sense of disillusionment, even guilt, troubles many choosing the private route. Those who pursue public service often see their passion diluted by resignation. While a certain core of exceptionally dedicated or affluent young professionals will always choose the public path, for the balance of well-educated idealists glaring marketplace disparities can be a deterrent.
Some responsibility lies with public and nonprofit employers.
And financial incentives for people entering the public sector should be a priority. Taxpayers should agree to finance more competitive salaries to attract sufficient numbers of high-quality government workers. Finally, philanthropy can help narrow the disparity in private versus nonprofit salaries. Donors to organizations must recognize that, as in business, talented staff is worth paying for. Josiah H. Brown is a master of public policy student at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.