Government

Federal Government Internships

As with any type of job, the best way to find out if the federal government is for you to try it out. But it’s not just an opportunity for you to test-drive the job and gain valuable skills —the internship also gives the agency a chance to see if they want to offer you a full-time job when you graduate. This also works well in networking to use the agency as a personal work reference for future job placement. If you like the job and the job descriptions that come with it then let the Manager know your interest, and see what possibilities they might be able to set up for you.

BE sure to do your homework:

A good resource site for you to go to and browse is http://www.usa.gov/.  It is a government-ran site that posts job opportunities for short term employment and federal internships. Students.gov is also a valuable government site to look for internship opportunities.

  • With federal internships, Agencies do not always post their internships for the general public, and usually only list opportunities on their OWN websites.
  • Before you wrap up your search, you should also consider checking out the many organizations that help place students in federal internships and jobs.
  • By putting a little extra time into researching the agencies whose missions interest you most, you will be able to narrow down the specifics of what type of job you are looking for.  Don’t be afraid to contact an agency, if you don’t find anything on their website or need more information, about internship/student opportunities. Ask for the Human Resources office.
  • Don’t give up too quickly! Even if the agency you’re interested in does not have any internships posted, offer to meet for an informational interview—it could lead to an actual internship.

The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school. The STEP provides maximum flexibility to both students and managers because the nature of the work does not have to be related to the student’s academic or career goals which benefits both agencies and students. Agencies can discover first-hand the abilities of a potential employee.

Appointments made under the Student Educational Employment Program authority can help agencies meet their needs to:

  • continuously recruit and develop talented employees to support changing agency missions;
  • ensure that the Government can meet its professional, technical, and administrative needs; and
  • achieve a quality and diverse workforce.

The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) provides work experience which is directly related to the student’s academic program and career goals. Agencies can bring well educated graduates into their workforce while at the same time give their managers the ability to evaluate the student’s performance in real work situations. Students, on the other hand, can avail themselves of such flexibilities as year round employment and flexible work schedules and assignments. Students in the SCEP gain exposure to public service while enhancing their educational goals and shaping their career choices. Students in the SCEP may be non-competitively converted to term, career or career-conditional appointments following completion of their academic and work experience requirements.

NEXT STEPS….
Students may contact their school guidance office, career planning and placement office, teachers, or Federal agency employment office where they are interested in working.