PUBLIC SERVICE BY CHOICE OR CHANCE? IMPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

The purpose of the study is to explore career intentions and motivations behind the aspirations of fourth-year students in the Public Administration bachelor program in Bulgaria for future careers in the public sector. The research, based on survey data, analyzed how academic satisfaction, perception of public sector career opportunities, and alignment with public service values shape student intentions and perceived preparedness for public service roles. Spearman's correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to identify if there are relationships between academic satisfaction, perception of public sector job opportunities, commitment to public service values, and aspiration for careers in the public sector. No statistically significant differences were identified between students who chose Public Administration as their primary program and those who did not, indicating that motivation for public service can be shaped during the course of study. The findings provide insight for both universities and public sector organizations that wish to recruit and retain young professionals who will be committed to advancing the missions of these organizations through curricula, recruitment practices, and employer branding.