One of the most interesting things that I noticed when I started my new federal job was the wide range of experience among my co-workers. I found it amazing that while I worked for several years to get into government service, the guy sitting next to me at orientation was a 22-year-old fresh out of college!
It nearly blew my mind when he told me his age, so I had to take this impressive kid to lunch one day and figure out his secret. As it turns out, it wasn’t much of a secret at all: more like a back door to federal employment. This guy had previously worked part-time as an intern with our agency during the last two years of college, and full-time during the school breaks. He was able to start his hiring process while he was still enrolled, and unlike most of his peers, he graduated into an awesome government job!
If you’re in a position where an internship might be an option, I’d like to highlight three important points for you to consider:
1) Federal internships are an easy way to build your network.
Not only do you have the chance to physically introduce yourself to the people who might hire you in the future, you’ll also have the chance to get intimately familiar with the operations of your agency. The chance to pick up the agency’s culture, combined with the fact that many interns get sponsored for security clearances, makes prior interns seem like the most desirable candidates when job announcements come around.
2) Federal internships are paying jobs!
I used to look at the government pay scales and wonder, “Who can survive in DC on a GS-4 salary?,” but that’s actually pretty nice money if you’re a full-time student. An internship that pays at the GS-4 or GS-5 level, even on a part-time basis, will allow you to get a good head start in paying off your college expenses, and might even allow you to start building long-term savings if you manage your money well.
3) Federal internships count as work experience!
Not only did my young friend come into a great job, but he also was able to move up a step in pay because of his work experience. Our HR team considered his two years as an intern to be relevant work for this position, so he was able get a bump in pay right from the start. Also, his time there will also be rolled into his retirement package, so assuming pensions still exist in fifty years, he’ll be that much better off. How many other kids that age have already started planning for retirement?
Obviously, internships aren’t the answer for everyone, but they’re definitely one of my best recommendations for students. Even older students making a career transition might be able to take advantage of these programs, so don’t rule yourself out. Ask your school’s counselors for help if you need some guidance, and keep your career planning focused on the long-term!
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