This month, students in Maricopa County will be crossing the stage to receive their high school or college diploma. As you celebrate this milestone, you might be weighing your options and deciding on a meaningful career that aligns with your goals.

Here at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, we strive to provide various opportunities for our employees to build a long-term career in public service. Beyond the paycheck, benefits, and vacation time, working in public service gives our employees access to meaningful and essential work supporting communities. While our top priorities are to hold criminals accountable and support victims of crime, our office is involved in so much more. We work closely with local, state, and national organizations to improve the quality of life in Maricopa County.

Our office serves over four million residents as the fourth largest public prosecutorial agency in the United States. It is responsible for the prosecution of more than 35,000 felony criminal cases each year. Our prosecutors work in the Community Based Division or one of ten specialized crime bureaus in the Major Offenders, Organized Crime, or Special Victims Division. In addition to felony and misdemeanor prosecutions, our employees also provide civil legal services to all county agencies.

While it may seem that our office consists solely of prosecutors, there are many that work behind the scenes to make sure the wheels of justice keep moving. Our more than 800 employees hold positions related to administration, legal support, investigations, victim services, diversion strategies, training and development, maintenance, information technology, and much more.

If you're unsure what type of career would be the best fit, you can also participate in an internship to learn more and get hands-on experience. As an intern, you would have the opportunity to work as a Victim Advocate Assistant or work on different cases with one of our prosecutors.

Regardless of the career path you decide on, consider these tips as you head into the professional world:

• Be open to new ideas and concepts. You're not done learning yet!
• Develop and practice good communication skills.
• Read and write often to keep your skills and vocabulary sharp.
• A career is a marathon, not a race. Go at your own pace and take breaks as needed.

From everyone at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, we would like to congratulate all the high school and college students graduating in the coming weeks. We hope you consider a career in public service and join our organization in the coming years.

For current job opportunities with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office visit, GovernmentJobs.com/careers/maricopa?department[0]=County%20Attorney