The Unexpected Career Path: How Public Service Can Change Your Life
- Catherine Huckaby
- Apr 17
- 8 min read
Unlike many paths with clear stepping stones, a career in local government often happens by accident. "I do not know many five-year-olds that say, ‘I want to be a city manager when I grow up," Caitlan Biggs joked. Yet today, as Director of Administrative Services and Town Secretary for Little Elm, Texas, she has found her calling in local government—and it all started with the decision to join a new group to learn about local government.
"I got started on a youth council when I was in high school. My parents were good friends with the former mayor, and the city was starting this initiative. I thought to myself, that would look really good on a college application."
What began as resume-building quickly evolved into a passion. Through the youth council, 16-year-old Caitlan found a behind-the-scenes look at city operations. She learned about streets, utilities, and development decisions, the invisible framework that shapes community life but rarely crosses the minds of most teens.
Finding Purpose in Public Service
Growing up with parents who were educators, she initially thought she might follow their path. She also considered the nonprofit sector because she "really wanted to help people." What she did not realize was that local government offered the perfect blend of meaningful service and professional growth.
"I did not realize that there is a way that you could make a living by improving the quality of life for people."
Her enthusiasm led her to chair the youth council at 17 and secure an internship working on performance measurements through the International City Managers Association (ICMA) program. Still, old expectations lingered. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in history with an English minor in just two years but still planned to become a teacher "because I really wanted my summers off."
But when she started her education courses, something did not click. "They want me to teach kids how to do math with blocks," she recalls thinking, "and that's not math."
A pivotal phone call to her former youth council staff liaison, Kellye (Cunningham) Mazzoli, redirected her path. The advice? "You should get an MPA." This led her to pursue a Master of Public Administration at the University of Texas at Arlington, completing internships with her hometown, City of Burleson, and the City of Grapevine before landing her first professional role.
Building a Career Through Adaptability
Caitlan's career journey is all about being adaptable. Her first position with the Town of Addison placed her in the finance department—not where she thought she would begin, but an opportunity to gain experience. During her interview, she took a refreshingly honest approach. She told the panel:
"I don't know what this job is, and you can teach me how you want me to do it. I am a clean slate."
That clean-slate mentality allowed her to thrive. It was not long until she had learned how to recentralize a decentralized procurement process and then moved into budgeting, developing a fascination with municipal finance.
"It was incredible how these different pieces work together about how cities fund operations."
A promotion to the city manager's office expanded her responsibilities and professional network, including meeting her future husband at a controversial council meeting about a development. In 2018, they built a house in Little Elm, and she secured a position as the Assistant to the Town Manager.
When the Town Secretary retired during the pandemic in 2020, leadership reimagined that position, combining it with administrative services. Caitlan stepped into this expanded role and began balancing her professional growth with starting a family—she now has two young children.
The Power of Youth Engagement
One of her proudest accomplishments has been establishing a youth council in Little Elm, inspired by her own formative experience. "The council adopted it as part of their strategic plan because they wanted more opportunities for the youth to be involved. And I said, 'Hey, I know a way.'"
For Caitlan, youth councils serve a crucial purpose—introducing young people to civic processes they will not learn about in school.
"Gen Z’ers care so much about making a difference and being part of something bigger than themselves. They just don't know that this is an option that they can pursue."
She structured the council to go beyond community service hours, focusing on teaching participants how government works. In early meetings, she brings in school district officials to clarify the distinction between school board and town authorities. Her message to youth is powerful:
"You don't have to have a national platform. You do not have to be an influencer. You just have to be aware of what's going on and how everything works together."
Community Engagement Starts Within
When asked about community engagement, she offers an insight that may surprise some - it begins with employee engagement.
"We engage with our internal stakeholders as much as we should be engaging with our external stakeholders."
Little Elm took the unusual step of hiring a dedicated culture and team development manager focused initially on employees—handling recognition, training, coaching, and facilitation.
This internal focus has paid dividends in building a positive organizational culture. When they later expanded the role to include community outreach, they already had a solid foundation and approach.
"For us, community engagement is meeting people where they're at."
This might mean attending HOA meetings, providing spaces for community gatherings, or simply responding promptly to emails. The goal is to create touchpoints that build trust.
While participation numbers can vary, Caitlan sees success in other ways. When complaints surface on social media, community members often defend the town. "We have built this level of trust and foundation," she says proudly.
Professional Networks: The Hidden Superpower
Caitlan has always prioritized professional networking through organizations like the Texas City Management Association (TCMA) and Urban Management Assistance of North Texas (UMANT). She credits her mentors for this valuable advice: "You have got to start being involved as soon as you possibly can in order to build your network, sharpen your knowledge, and find a community."
This approach has opened doors in unexpected ways. At a UMANT conference in 2014, she heard Matt Mueller, Town Manager of Little Elm, speak about his career path. Inspired, she sent him a heartfelt email about wanting to follow in his footsteps. Four years later, when she joined his team, he still had that email—a full-circle moment that highlights the power of making connections.
Beyond career advancement, these networks provide practical support. She explains,
"I have a group of people from across the state, and even some who live out of state, where I am just like, 'Hey, we are working on this policy right now. Does anybody have any examples?'"
5 Key Takeaways
1. Titles Rarely Define the Work
While her title may not fully capture her duties, she embraces the reality of wearing multiple hats. In her current role, she oversees municipal courts, strategic planning, organizational development, and community engagement; she sees local government work as dynamic and rewarding.
2. The Importance of Youth Engagement
Her experience in a Youth Council as a teen inspired her to create similar opportunities for the next generation. Prompted by the Council’s initiative to involve the youth, she was able to help them achieve this vision by launching a Youth Council in Little Elm to help young people understand local government and civic responsibility.
3. Community Engagement is More Than a Buzzword
Community engagement is not just about social media; it is about meeting people where they are. Her approach includes district town hall meetings, various boards, commissions, and committees, and HOA outreach to create meaningful dialogue between the town and its residents.
4. Professional Networking is Essential
From her first exposure to the Urban Management Assistance of North Texas (UMANT) as a high school intern to her leadership roles in organizations like the Texas City Management Association (TCMA), she emphasizes the importance of networking. Her connections have shaped her career, provided mentorship, and even led to job opportunities.
5. A Career in Local Government is Incredibly Fulfilling
Though local government workers often encounter residents on their worst days, she finds purpose in helping people navigate issues. Whether it is clarifying zoning regulations or resolving community concerns, she sees public service to make a tangible difference.
Advice for Aspiring Public Servants
When asked what advice she would give to someone looking to enter local government, Caitlan emphasizes the importance of heart over credentials. While she values her master's degree, she notes that she does not require one when hiring:
"I don't think you have to have it to do what we do. I think you need to have a heart for service, attention to detail, and follow-up."
Her philosophy is simple: "I can teach you technically anything, but I can't really teach you to have a heart of service."
For those looking to engage with local government, whether as employees or citizens, she encourages showing up—attending meetings, joining academies, or simply reaching out with questions. She adds:
"Public service is a calling. It's not just a job you do eight to five."
Even with the challenges, she maintains her enthusiasm for public service. She approaches her work with a servant leadership mentality, putting the needs of others first and finding ways to meet residents where they are.
In a field where feedback often comes only when things go wrong, she sees an opportunity in every interaction. "We don’t always get a thank you after every interaction. We usually hear from people when they are mad," she acknowledges. But she remains committed to being "the person that they are hoping can fix their problem," even when the solution means directing them elsewhere.
Through youth councils, internal engagement, professional networking, and community outreach, Caitlan Biggs exemplifies how local government is a calling rather than just a career. For her, what began as a teenager looking to build her resume has evolved into a lifelong commitment to public service.
Other Resources
Check out the resources and organizations mentioned by Caitlan:
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is a resource for professional development and best practices in city management.
The Texas City Management Association (TCMA) is a networking and professional development organization for Texas city managers.
The Urban Management Assistance of North Texas (UMANT) is a regional organization for early-career public administrators.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the University of Texas at Arlington is the largest enrolled accredited MPA program in Texas and ranked 15th in the U.S., offering campus, online, and city cohort options. It aims to strengthen public decision-making and prepares students for careers in government management, nonprofit management, and related fields.
The City of Burleson, Texas is a rapidly growing suburb of Fort Worth with an estimated population of 57,625 in 2024. It operates under a council-manager form of government and offers various municipal services to its residents.
The City of Grapevine, Texas is a historic city in northeast Tarrant County, known for its restored 19th- and 20th-century buildings and authentic Texas charm. It offers a thriving downtown, vibrant community, and serves as a hub for tourism and entertainment in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
The City of Little Elm, Texas is a fast-growing city in Denton County, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with an estimated population of 55,357 in 2022. Originally chartered in 1841, it has transformed from a quiet lakeside community to a bustling suburb, known for its "lake attitude" and rich history.
