Pathway for Student and Recent Graduates to Federal Careers

 

  

   Regardless of what career field you're going into, internships and experience are key ways to gain the upper hand in the professional world past graduation. Thankfully, USAJobs provides multiple hiring paths for any student or recent graduate interested in federal internships and employment opportunities. 

USAJOBS

    USAJOBS offers a student and recent graduate specific page that offers multiple unique hiring paths. Searches can begin with Internship Jobs or Recent Graduate Jobs. There are three different paths available. The Internship Program is for current students at any educational institution. It's administered by each hiring agency, and agencies can hire interns on a temporary basis for one year or for an indefinite period. Interns can work either part- or full-time. This program even allows for the opportunity of conversion to a permanent position. 

The Recent Graduate Program is for people who have graduated within the past two years. This program lasts for one year, and it is administered by each hiring agency. There is mentorship throughout the program, orientation, and the opportunity for career advancement. 

The third program is the Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF). It's intended for recent graduates with an advanced degree. It is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and is for a two year appointment. It can be transferred over to a permanent position and any fellow will carry this prestige with them. The PMF Program offers a quick video overview of the opportunities that lie ahead.

The page also highlights several other student programs and opportunities including:

• Department of State Student Internship Program
• Virtual Student Federal Service
• Overseas Seasonal Hire Program 

Current Available Internships 

There are a wide variety of students specific internships available. They range in departments, time frames, and descriptions. All applications are found on USAJOBS.gov, with multiple filters available including specific salaries, paths, and agencies. Below are a few examples.

• Student Trainee (Clerical) 
• Department of Justice
• Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
• General office support in the United States Attorney's Office

• Transportation Specialist
• Department of Transportation
• Federal Highway Administration
• Implement program functions, track data, research

• Student Trainee (Biologist)
• Department of Agriculture
• Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Intense and specialized training in all phases of natural resources & biological sciences
• Gather data for use in conservation plans

• Student Trainee (IT Management)
• Department of Homeland Security
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• Cybersecurity focused, generate source cods, computer forensics, cyber outreach

• Student Trainee (Architecture)
• General Services Administration
• Architectural project management, prepare preliminary drawings & other materials, PBS compliance 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Eager to know more? Start here.

  Government Information Online is produced by the staff at the Oklahoma State University Libraries Government Documents Department, a regional depository for U.S. Government and Oklahoma state government documents. We are located on the 5th floor of the Edmon Low Library. Our department website can be reached at www.info.library.okstate.edu/government-documents. For more information or for research assistance, contact us at 405.744.6546. or email suzanne.reinman@okstate.edu.