STEP (Student Temporary Employment Program) and SCEP (Student Career Experience Program) offer paid internships for current college and MS students. Be sure to check the terms of your departmental support before applying. STEP internships may be in any field; SCEP internships must be in your own field of study. Many, but not all, of these internships are posted in the student section of USA Jobs. Also search the sites of specific agencies for details on their STEP and SCEP opportunities.
FCIP (Federal Career Intern Program) offers full-time jobs (not, as the name might imply, internships) for recent graduates. Students may apply, but must graduate before beginning work. The jobs are called “internships” because they are structured to include a lot of training. After two years of work, top-notch employees are offered a fast track to permanent employment. Many, but not all, of these jobs are posted in the student section of USA Jobs. Also search the sites of specific agencies for details on their STEP and SCEP opportunities.
PMFP (Presidential Management Fellows Program) is the most prestigious of the training-oriented employment tracks. Applications may only be submitted during the first two weeks of October each year. Applicants must graduate before beginning a fellowship. Fewer than 10% of applicants are accepted. Presidential fellows complete a two-year rotation of several positions (within a single agency, across several agencies, or sometimes in NPOs).
Peruse our guides to careers in government:
- Overview
- The centralized jobs database
- The hiring process
- Jobs at specific agencies
- Jobs in state government
Email Kirsten Wellman with comments, updates or recommended additions.
