Price Sees Diversified Careers, Security in Government Service

Don K. Price, Jr., professor of Government and Dean of the Faculty of Public Administration, pointed out that there was "no single government career" in a Conference on Careers lecture last night entitled "Government Service: Politics and Administration."

He emphasized that government work is so diversified that one cannot make a career out of "government service," as such, but must choose the type of work he wants to do before going into the field. "There is no 'officer class' in America as there is in Europe where there is anelite core of men dedicated to the government," he said. "The switchover between government and civilian business activities is relatively easy," he said, "in fact I've done it six times."

Because of this "more liquid" system, there is much more chance for individual initiative, he continued. Almost regardless of a student's field of concentration, if he is in the top quarter of his class, he can take an exam, which, if he passes it, will guarantee him a starting salary of $5,000 a year with a chance for a quick raise.

Speaking about security, he stated that "we are past the stage in this country where one need fear that capricious political intervention may cut his career short."