Together with support from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Academy commissioned a nationwide poll of 800 members of the “Millennial Generation” sometimes known as Generation Y, or as I like to say, these kids today who have never been without a computer in their home since before they could walk.
Between April 3rd and April 8th, 2008, SocialSphere Strategies of Cambridge, Massachusetts, conducted a poll of college-bound high school students, college students, and college graduates with the goal of assessing Millennials’ attitudes toward public service and their opinions about the Public Service Academy. Chris and Shawn were thrilled to present the results of the poll at the National Summit in Washington, DC on April 22, 2008, and are now able to share the complete results with everyone. Having this kind of scientific data as the foundation for this transformational idea only serves to heighten support for the Academy in Congress, amongst colleges and universities and the public at large.
Some exciting highlights of the poll are:
- By a margin of more than 7:1, Millennials overwhelmingly support the creation of the Public Service Academy.
- Political affiliation did not affect young people’s perception of the Academy - 58% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans say that they would consider applying to the Academy.
- More than half (57%) of all Millennials indicate that they “likely” would consider applying to the U.S. Public Service Academy, with 19% saying that they “very likely” would consider applying. Those most likely to consider applying include: men (63%), Southerners (63%), African Americans (64%), Latinos (68%), and Asian Americans (70%).
- Millennial Generation believes:
- Public service is good training for future employment, regardless of sector
- Public service is an effective way to solve some of our nation’s problems
- Political leaders are not doing enough to encourage public service
Please read more about the findings here and then go sign the petition if you have not already done it!
