A Federal Internship Can be Your
Ticket to a Federal Career¹

The federal government has a tremendous number of employment opportunities aimed at every student level from high school through post-doctorate.  Many other programs in this broad category are aimed at recent graduates.  Our task in this step is to provide you with an overview of these opportunities.  With the information we provide, it will be your task to find which of them, if any, is right for you.

Perhaps the single most important thing to remember about these government employment opportunities is deadline.  Federal hiring opportunities aimed at students often have application deadlines, and they may be months in advance of the work start date.  Some, especially internships, may require security clearances, which can take anywhere from four months to one year to perform.  You should start your research process early to allow time to find opportunities, fill out applications and, if necessary, gather letters of recommendation or undergo a background check.

The second most important thing to remember about federal internships is that many opportunities the government calls internships are actually jobs.  The federal government often uses the word “internship” as an umbrella term.  It may refer to tuition reimbursement programs or paid, full time, year-long positions which offer training and opportunities for permanent placement.  Internships can be your ticket to a job in the federal government because the application process for many intern programs is exempt from normal competitive hiring regulations.  We’ll discuss this point later when we describe some of the programs that fit this description.

Let’s look at some of the different employment opportunities you can explore during this step in your search for a federal job.  The following box shows the variety of programs you can consider.

Apprenticeships

Traditionally, apprenticeships have applied to crafts and trades occupations, generally referred to as trades or blue-collar jobs.  The government does have apprentice program for trades (or wage grade) occupations, and we’ll tell you about it.

This is a possible career path appropriate for high school graduates interested in pursuing a career or skilled trades work.  These apprenticeships lead to crafts and trades jobs.  While the number of federal trades jobs is shrinking, replacements for them are still needed.  Apprentice programs vary by agency and location.

When used, federal crafts and trades apprenticeships operate as formal programs, combining theory and practice in the work to be performed.  Completion of the program qualifies the individual as a journeyman in the field of apprenticeship, such as electrician or carpenter. Applicants for these federal apprenticeships follow normal competitive employment processes, including taking a test.  Successful completion of an apprenticeship is often equivalent to a two-year degree, and qualifies the individual for the career field without further education.  Federal trades employees are paid at least as much as, and often more than, their privately employed, unionized counterparts, and usually have better benefits packages.  Fully competent federal trades’ employees have salary growth as journeymen and promotion potential into work leader and supervisor jobs, including foreman positions.  As the federal crafts and trades workforce has shrunk in recent years, many of its members have also transitioned from the wage grade to the professional (GS) workforce, often in technical positions.

You can search for federal trade apprenticeship opportunities on the USAJobs web site or on agency web sites (look particularly at the armed forces departments-especially Navy and the departments of Agriculture, the Interior, Veterans Affairs, and the General Services Administration).

Professional and Technical Apprenticeships

Federal agencies have developed several apprentice opportunities for Professional and Technical occupations.  Some of these programs are very limited in their geographic or organizational reach.  They cover both high school and college students.  Information about these programs is available at the following website: http://www.studentjobs.gov/d_appren.asp.  You can also reach it by starting at the StudentJobs.gov site (http://www.studentjobs.gov), and go to e-scholar then click on “Apprenticeships.”
 
See Troutman and Troutman; The Student’s Federal Career Guide: 10 Steps to Find and Win Top Government Jobs and Internships. 2004. p. 426-27 for a listing of high school program apprenticeship programs with descriptions.

Student Employment Programs

The federal government has two primary student employment programs-the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and the Student Temporary Experience Program (STEP).  Both programs provide financial assistance to high school, vocational school, undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in school at least half-time.  Depending on the agency, you may work during the summer or during the school year.

Student Temporary Experience Program (STEP) positions are much like part-time jobs.  They give you and the agency maximum flexibility since the work you perform does not have to be directly related to your academic or career goals.  Jobs through this program do not imply any employment commitment when you complete or leave school.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) differs from the STEP in significant ways.  Most notably, SCEP jobs provide work experience directly related to your academic program and career goals.  This program requires a written agreement involving the employing agency, the academic institution, and the student.  Some colleges and universities are willing to enter into these agreements, so, if you are interested in this program, check early with your college placement office and the head of your academic department to make sure the school will support you.  An agency may convert students in the SCEP to permanent, term, career, or career-conditional appointments without competition once the student completes his/her academic and work experience requirements.  Conversion is solely at the agency’s discretion.

Students in the SCEP gain experience to public service, learn about the work of an agency, and get real-world experience in their career fields.  Agencies can discover first-hand the abilities of a potential permanent employee.  Once students complete their educational requirements, managers can choose to offer conversion to permanent employment based on their evaluations of students’ performance in real work situations.

The federal government’s student programs benefit both agencies and students.  Through both programs students can learn about the working world, how to balance their time between school and work, and about flexible work schedules and assignments.  Meanwhile, agencies get work done and groom potential permanent employees.

You can learn more about these programs through OPM’s website:
http://www.opm.gov/employ/students/index.asp.  Or you may go to OPM’s main web page http://www.opm.gov, click on the letter S under “Site Index” in the lower right side of the main screen, and the scroll to “Students.”  You can then select and click on “Student Educational Experience Program” or the other student programs listed there.

To check on jobs available under student employment programs, go to the StudentJobs.gov site at http://www.studentjobs.gov. It is maintained by OPM and sponsored jointly with the U.S. Department of Education.  While there you can also post your resume, sign up for notification of available opportunities, and apply for various jobs including ones available through STEP and SCEP.  There is also a link to the StudentJobs.gov site from USAJobs site at http://www.usajobs.opm/gov.  Look early and often for these opportunities, and be mindful of deadlines!

Student Volunteers

OK, you’re right.  “Volunteer” means without pay.  Maybe that isn’t for you.  But if you’ve ever wanted to gain experience in a particular career field, or have been curious about what it’s like to work for a particular federal agency, this is an opportunity for you to consider.  If nothing else, it will give you the chance to have something to put in that “experience” block of your resume when you go after paying jobs.

In general, federal agencies are not allowed to accept volunteer work.  But there are certain exceptions to that legal prohibition.  One of the exceptions is “employment of students to further their educational goals.”  And a few agencies, such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service, have special permission to accept unpaid workers for specific jobs or functions.  Many federal agencies offer volunteer work to high school and college students.  If you are curious about a particular agency or career field, or just want to get a feel for working for a federal agency, contact the agency or agencies that interest you.

The range of volunteer possibilities is astounding.  You could be involved in professional projects or other work activities related to what you are studying.  Considering how diverse the federal government is, it isn’t too hard to realize you could work on anything from new administrative procedures to congressional relations to issues dealing with the environment or wildlife management.  The actual work assignments performed by student volunteers are determined by the host agency.

You are eligible for student volunteer work if you are enrolled at least half-time in-

• An accredited high school or trade school
• A technical or vocational school
• A junior or community college
• A four-year college or university, or
• Any other accredited educational institution.

Don’t hesitate to call an agency or individual directly and ask about opportunities for student volunteer work.  Be ready to sell yourself, fax over your resume, and speak about your specific interests and goals.

Scholarships

An amazing number of federal organizations offer scholarships.  You can learn about these opportunities on the following website:
http//www.studnetjobs.gov/d_scholarhip.asp, or go the StudentJobs.gov website.  Click on e-scholars, then on the “Scholarships” button.  Some focus on minority or disadvantaged students, some are for graduate or postgraduate work, and some require entering the armed forces of our country.  Look here for possible funding sources for your education.

Grants

The Student.Jobs.gov website also has a button for grants.  You can go directly to the grants site by going to http://www.studentjobs.gov/d_grants.asp.  Grants are an especially important opportunity for students conducting specialized research, which often means students pursuing advanced degrees. 

Numerous possibilities are presented at this site, but they aren’t likely to apply to you unless you are a graduate student involved in one of the fields of study for which a grant is available, or unless you are also a career professional working for an advocacy group that could apply for one of the grants.  Look here if you are curious, but most of you won’t want to spend much time here.

Fellowships

The number of fellowships available through government sources is surprising, but most of these are aimed at graduate or postgraduate studies.  If you are interested, go to this website: http://www.studentjobs.gov/d_fellowships.asp.  Alternatively, go to the StudentJobs.gov website and click on the “Fellowships” button.  Maybe you will see something there that would interest one of your professors or parents!

Fellowships are usually federally-funded research or study opportunities.  They vary widely.  Some fellowships operated like scholarship funds (or grants) with academic requirements but no actual job in government.  Other fellowships are like traditional jobs, many with a mentoring aspect.  They may last for weeks or years.  Many fellowships are offered through colleges or universities.  Your school may be partially or entirely responsible for reviewing applications and awarding fellowships.  In addition to the StudentJobs.gov website link, check agency websites and your academic department for more information.

Internships

More than 100 different intern programs are identified in the following web site:  http://www.studentjobs.gov/d_internships.asp.  You can also reach this site through the “Internship” button on the StudentJobs.gov website.  Many of these are paid; some are open only to faculty.  It is worth looking at this list because it includes opportunities to serve as interns in some really neat organizations.  Have you ever wanted to intern at the CIA?  Check out the opportunities.

We want to focus your attention on two very special intern programs included in the lengthy list at this website.  These are special intern programs that can (and usually do) lead to permanent federal jobs.  That makes them different from almost all the other internships and fellowships- or other work opportunities-included in this step.  The two intern programs are the:

• Presidential Management Fellows Program (formerly known as the Presidential Management Intern Program), and the
• Federal Career Intern Program

Let’s look at the closely, because you may want to explore them in some depth.

Presidential Management Fellows Program

The Presidential Management Fellows Program has been around since 1977.  Presidential management Fellows are open to graduate students (master’s and doctoral-level).  This program is intended to “attract to the federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.

Presidential Management Fellowships are highly sought after and highly competitive.  Successful applicants are appointed GS-9.  (Learn more about the GS-9 level in step 4).  They stay in the program for two years, (they may stay a third year with OPM approval), and upon completion of their Intern Program, if offered a permanent job, may be appointed at GS-12.  During their two-year internship they receive rotational assignments and training opportunities intended to broaden their experience in managing and leading public programs and policies.  It often is a fast track to higher jobs, including ones in the Senior Executive Service.  Presidential Management Fellowships are offered only following a competitive process administered by graduate programs or professional schools.  Applicants must be sponsored by their academic institutions.  Each school or program has its own “nominating coordinator”; often a dean of a school.  Be aware that deadlines may vary by school.

Federal Career Intern Program

This program was created in 2000 to give agencies flexibility to establish agency-specific programs “to provide for the recruitment and selection of exceptional employees for careers in the public sector.”  Given this goal, The Federal Career Intern Program can be viewed as an agency-managed version of the Presidential Management Fellow Program.

Agencies wishing to hire under this program must establish two-year programs designed to provide work experiences and training opportunities consistent with the agency’s needs and the intern’s competencies and career interests.  Agencies typically hire persons into these intern positions at grades 5, 7, or 9, but may establish higher entry grades with OPM approval.  Federal Career Internships are limited to two years unless OPM approves an extension of up to one additional year.  Upon successful completion of the internship, individuals may be converted from their intern positions to competitive, permanent positions without further competition.  Conversion is at the discretion of the agency.  Almost any professional or administrative job important to an agency can be filled through this program.

This program is increasingly being used by federal agencies, but their individual programs are not always well defined.  And no agency seems to use the term Federal Career Internship when describing or defining its job opportunities under the program.  Instead, they are free to-and do-give their programs names of their own choosing that promote their purpose of the program.

An excellent example of an agency’s Federal Career Intern Program initiative is the “Emerging Leaders Program” established by the Department of Health and Human Services.  We strongly encourage you to examine this program’s description as it appears on the department’s website.  To get the program’s description, start with the DHHS website http://www.dhhs.gov.  Once on the DHHS main page:

• Click the “About HHS” button at the right bottom of the screen.
• Click the “Employment” button in the column in the middle of the page. 
• Click the “HHS Emerging Leaders Program” button on the left side of the page.

You have several screen of information concerning this wonderful program.  One even tells you how to apply.  And we’re sure you won’t miss noting that the department has other buttons on the left side of the screen you reached just before you started reading about the Emerging Leaders Program.  Among these is their information about the Presidential Management Fellows Program and their program for developing future Senior Executives.  We wish all departments and large agencies would provide such useful and informative information!

Conclusion

Finding a great internship, summer jobs, scholarships, or other special hiring opportunity is just like finding a great permanent job—it requires creativity, perseverance, and above all, planning.  If you miss deadlines for opportunities you especially wanted, you may need to take an unpaid position and work part-time for a while.  An internship is an irreplaceable advantage when you apply for permanent positions. 

                                     
¹_{Troutman and Troutman; The Student’s Federal Career Guide: 10 Steps to Find and Win Top Government Jobs and Internships. 2004. p. 24-37}