Our fourth annual careers issue focuses on the public sector. On page 32 , Christine Middleton describes an opportunity at NSF for researchers to lend their expertise and help guide scientific research. Two other features illustrate the variety of paths and opportunities to be found across the sector. On page 40 , Tess Jaffe recounts her journey through positions in Europe and the US. And on page 50 , Carl Williams discusses his path to and within NIST. (Image by Donna Padian.)