The next generation is up to bat for local government.  They are applying for MPA degrees, interning in your offices, and seeking your mentorship in hopes of becoming the city and county managers of tomorrow.  So, you may be asking yourself, "why is the millennial generation any different than any other generation."

Well, we're just different.  We see the world differently.  We work better in groups.  We have no problem uprooting the ways of old to make way for the innovations of tomorrow.  And we expect change to happen quickly.  If our dream job doesn't exist, we'll create it.

Now you might understand why recruiting the next generation could be challenging.  To successfully integrate a new generation into the local government profession, a smart first step is to get up-to-speed on research about who this generation is and what people of the next generation want from their careers.  

ICMA is ready to help you prepare for the uncoming, "Next Gen" of city and county managers.  Check out some of our resources about the next generation and ways to inform, inspire, and ignite a passion in local government.  

• The Next Generation Initiatives: A Collection of Articles from PM Magazine 2003-2012 includes more than 35 articles focusing on this topic.  

•  Cal-ICMA Coaching Program published an article touching on the lack of young professionals pursuing a career in public service, especially local government.  Preparing the Next Generation is a guide book containing successful case studies revealing initiatives of cities that have attracted a variety of young professionals to their local government community.   

•   Coming to ICMA’s annual conference?  See you in Boston!  Be sure to attend this focus session, The Next Generation: Inform, Inspire, Ignite to  hear the experiences of other local government professionals on resolving this issue.  

•  Some of ICMA’s Next Generation Initiatives include 
  •  Promoting awareness of the local government management profession and encouraging others to consider careers in the field. 
  • Helping new and early professionals land their first jobs in local government.
  • Engaging local government management professionals in ICMA early on in their career paths.
  • Building the leadership pipeline by engaging and developing promising individuals so that they are prepared to step into leadership roles, both in their local governments and ICMA.  

Are you ready for the Next Gen?  Let us know how your local government has prepared, and stay in the know about the next generation with our Knowledge Network topic page, Next Generation of Managers.  

Hilary Badger

Knowledge Network, Intern

ICMA