Proud Bureaucrat: Reclaiming the Importance of Public Service  

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.

By Nicole Wojciechowski
December 22, 2025

Those who work in government are often associated with the systems, processes, and agencies that the public perceives to be inefficient and bureaucratic. The public has a distrust of government and of the ability of government to deliver services in a manner they deem sufficient. That distrust bleeds over to the perception they have of public employees, especially those who are not necessarily on the frontlines yet still play an important role in administering critical services.

The challenges of public service often feel defeating and sometimes impossible. This may, and likely will, make you question why you are doing this work in the first place. The response is what keeps you going, because you love it. You love showing up each day knowing that you have a purpose beyond the norm, and your work makes a tangible impact on the lives of those you serve.

I have had that thought before – why don’t I take what I know and work somewhere that will pay me more to do less? These thoughts creep in usually after a long day where nothing seems to be going my way or right. However, I quickly remind myself that I do this work for the people – the people we serve and the people who serve alongside me.

The hardest working and most dedicated people I know are my public service colleagues, who show up each day no matter the circumstances, eager to make a difference and improve our communities. Through tight budgets, reduced staff, inclement weather, emergencies, natural disasters – you name it – they show up. Not only do they show up, but they leave their families to show up for someone else. That is the heart of a bureaucrat.

In a time where the role of government and the integrity of public servants is questioned, now more than ever we need to remind ourselves why government is important and why those who work in government are more than bureaucrats.

A “bureaucrat” is defined as an official in a government department. So next time you hear someone say, “Oh, they are just another bureaucrat,” as if that is some sort of insult, I encourage you to remind them that a bureaucrat filled the potholes on their street, or is teaching their children at the local elementary school, and keeps our communities safe through police and fire rescue. But they are also processing the invoices for the pothole repair, setting Kindergarten–12 curriculums, and making repairs to police cars and fire engines. All are equally important and essential for providing these services.

It is not uncommon for public safety workers to receive high praise for their dangerous and honorable work, as they should. However, all too often the work of the “behind the scenes” bureaucrats is heavily scrutinized, frequently minimized, and dismissed for not being good enough. Through opposition, public servants are tasked with making decisions in the name of the greater good. Do we prioritize doing something fast or safe? Should we use the more expensive innovative method or the budget-friendly status quo system?

This work – whether on the frontlines or from behind a desk – is important because one can’t do without the other. The scope of work is different, but the basic qualifications are the same – passion for public service, people, and change. I think sometimes the public misses that. Bureaucrats are doing the best they can with what they have to make meaningful and positive impacts.

I am a proud bureaucrat, working alongside many other proud and incredibly hard working bureaucrats. They work long hours, make hard decisions, face public scrutiny, yet still show up each day willing and prepared to tackle the next challenge. I encourage you to thank your bureaucrat friends, family, or neighbors for their work (they likely do not hear that often). If you are a public service worker – thank you; your work matters to someone more than you know. If you are considering working in government – do it – you will love it, and we need more of you!

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Author: Nicole Wojciechowski is a student at the University of Baltimore working toward a Master of Arts in Public Administration. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Salisbury University in 2018. She currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Maryland State Highway Administration overseeing the organization’s public affairs and policy functions. Her role also directly supports executive leadership with organizational change and strategic initiatives.

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