I HAD A RATHER INTERESTING CONVERSATION AT A WEDDING DINNER RECENTLY. I was seated at a table where I was the only Public Officer. The rest of the table was, of course, made up of private sector people. Wedding dinner talk aside, the conversation topic drifted to that of jobs and what we did for a living. Naturally, people were rather intrigued about my workplace (The first question is usually, do you get to see the Prime Minister everyday?). Once that urban legend had been debunked (no, I don't), the line of questioning turned to the work and culture in the Public Service. With 110,000 of us around, you would think that most people would know at least one or two civil servants personally, but apparently not the people at this table, who are fixated on the idea that the Public Service is a strange and mysterious place (either that or I was just sitting with a bunch of very good conversationalists). They seemed to have the perception that public officers are an entirely different breed of people who live and work very differently from "the rest of them" (read: boring).

Two hours and a 10-course dinner later, I started to wonder how one defines oneself as a Public Officer. Why do people join the Service? Are we really that different from someone working in the private sector?

Were my fellow public officers and I really risk-averse and conservative, destined to failure if we were to "go private"? Do people join the Service for an iron rice bowl and good work-life balance (another myth, by the way!)? And is the idea of Public Service archaic or do people really enter the Public Service because of a greater calling to help build the country and its future?

This month, three successful women who have been in the public and private sectors share their insights on the exciting opportunities that the Public Service has presented and the unique challenges that they have faced in both sectors. Elsewhere in Challenge, find out what some other "boring" public officers are doing, including raising funds for charity through a punishing 2,000km cycling expedition in New Zealand, or creating a splash in the local dragon boat racing scene. And how about the Science Centre's forays into consultancy overseas, or how the National Museum has been adding a dimension to the cultural scene here through its wide range of exhibitions?

Certainly doesn't sound boring to me. That calls for a celebration! So look out for the exciting freebies that will come with the next issue, which will be given in line with the first Public Service Week in May, where we celebrate all things Public Service. Till then, do write in and tell us why you decided to join the Public Service!