Ekaterina Lebedeva spoke about motivation for entering the civil service at the "GosStart" forum.

      13 November 2025 17:57 Society

      Director of the NRU "Presidential Academy" Ekaterina Lebedeva spoke at the All‑Russian Forum of Young State and Municipal Employees "GosStart." As part of the panel discussion "A Calling to Serve: Personal Path and Motivation," she shared the story of her professional development and reflections on the value of public service.

      Ekaterina Lebedeva said that her path into public service began with an offer from the dean of the law faculty to try working in the apparatus of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. According to her, even before that she already showed the makings of a future civil servant and demonstrated an active civic position, and that was the basis for the recommendation.

      She admitted that before beginning her career she had to make a difficult choice between working in the banking sector and serving the state. According to her, the decision was made together with her family. Her relatives supported the idea of starting in public service, stressing that experience in this field will always be useful, and business can be pursued later.

      "I am convinced that understanding the principles of how public service works is important for everyone, regardless of whether you work in the commercial sector or plan to build your career in government bodies," she said.

      Speaking about motivation, Ekaterina Lebedeva noted that the main driving force for her was the feeling of being involved in solving significant tasks that affect entire industries and a region. She emphasized that, unlike business, where the main goal is profit, public service inspires with the opportunity to solve socially important issues.

      "These are completely different feelings. You are responsible for the result, and that inspires more than any financial incentives. You can feel this only in public service," she shared.

      Having risen from a specialist to the regional Minister of Personnel Policy and director of an institute, today she helps young people choose careers in government structures. In her opinion, public service is an opportunity to feel the real significance of your work and to influence the development of society.

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