The article presents a comparative analysis of motivation of the fi rst year and senior students who are enrolled in the program “Public Administration”. The program is popular among the school graduates who aspire to acquire professional knowledge and a wide range of skills, such as interpersonal communication skills, systemic thinking, leadership abilities, orientation in the systems of economics and law, ability to analyze and evaluate social events. All these skills in their opinion would give them a better chance in the labor market. The popularity can also be explained by the fact that public service ensures stable and prestigious employment with greater social benefi ts. Public service promises an opportunity for young people to realize their professional potential, to reach the top of social ladder, and to establish useful contacts. Both parents’ and the public’s opinion boost these expectations. The authors distinguish two groups among students: those students who consciously opt for majoring in this program and plan their career in public service and those students who have not made their career choice yet. The degree of certainty in future career signifi cantly effects students’ motivation for study, their satisfaction with the study process and their aspiration to work in public administration. The fi ndings have allowed the authors to identify the causes of declining motivation of students to enter the public service upon graduation.