Opportunities for Students in the Federal Government

Students often want to make a difference. Whether in their school, their community or their country, they are interested in having an impact and creating positive changes. A career in public service, particularly in the federal government, can channel that enthusiasm and passion to serve. A world of opportunities can open up for students who turn to the federal government and its agencies for internships and jobs. In addition, the government offers a student loan payback program through some of its departments and agencies that can help whittle down college debt.

Here are nine online destinations to find out more about opportunities for students in the federal government:

1. Making the Difference Website
This website is geared for young job seekers. It is a one-stop shop with a wealth of information for anyone who wants to learn how to find and apply for federal jobs. It lists hot jobs, internships and an introduction to the importance of careers in public service.

2. Academic Quick Guides
Students tend to think in terms of their academic major or interest area, so the Partnership for Public Service created major-based Academic Quick Guides that list the agencies that hire the most people with those majors, sample positions, and other key information to help students find federal jobs and internships. The purpose of these guides is to help students see that that there are good jobs and internships in government for people with interests like theirs. Interest areas covered are comprehensive and include: Agriculture and Forestry, Art and Design, Biological Science, Business, Communications, Computer Science and Information Technology, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Foreign Languages, International Relations, Law, Law Enforcement, Medical, Physical Science, Social Science and Social Work.

3. StudentJobs.gov
Students can find over 14,000 students employment opportunities on StudentJobs.gov These include internships for high school through graduate level as well as jobs for recent college graduates. The Partnership for Public Service offers a quick guide to help students navigate the website. Not all federal internships or jobs are required to be posted on StudentJobs.gov though, so students are smart to search the individual websites of departments and agencies whose missions are in sync with their values and interests. To search and preview full-time jobs and learn about duties and qualifications requirements, go to USAJobs.gov.

4. STEP (Student Temporary Employment Program)
The STEP program is a traditional internship program that does not have to related to a student's particular field of study. STEPs are offered during the school year as well as in the summer to enrolled students. These internships are paid and range from a summer to longer periods of time. To locate STEPs, go to the individual agency websites as well as StudentJobs.gov.

5. SCEP (Student Career Experience Program)
On the other hand, the SCEP program (pronounced "skep") allows students to obtain experience in a job related to their field of study. Most SCEPs are paid and some offer academic credit. The student's college must have a formal arrangement with the hiring agency. A terrific advantage: once students complete 640 hours of work (the equivalent of 16 40-hour weeks), they are eligible to be hired into a permanent position without going through the traditional hiring process. To locate SCEPs, always check the individual agency websites as well as StudentJobs.gov.

6. FCIP (Federal Career Intern Program)
The FCIP is for recent college graduates, and although it is labeled "internship" it is actually a regular paid position. Typically a group of students are hired at the same time and this cohort enjoys training and professional development together. The program is two years long, after which the interns become regular employees. This is a paid position with benefits.

7. PMF (Presidential Management Fellowship)
The PMF is an extremely prestigious fellowship for individuals who have completed their master's degrees. These individuals have a strong interest in and commitment to leadership and management careers in public policy and administration. Candidates are nominated by their colleges and fellows complete a 2-year rotation within an agency or among several agencies to find their niche.

8. Student Loan Repayment Assistance
Some agencies may repay up to $10,000 of an individual's student loans per year, often in exchange for years of employment. The Office of Personnel Management has more information on this program.

9. Scholarship for Service
The Scholarship for Service program is a good example of how students with early career direction can benefit from specific scholarship programs that provide generous financial aid for their college education. This unique program is designed to attract top students to careers as "information assurance" professionals who protect the government's critical information technology infrastructure.

For more resources about federal government opportunities, see our article "Working for the Federal Government".

© Copyright 2009, Career Vision / Ball Foundation. Article may be reprinted with permission.

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