your best-bet route to a career with the federal government

Are you a college student or college grad and interested in working for the Federal Government? There are a few good reasons why a Federal career is worth considering:

1. Job Security: Unlike private sector corporations or businesses, the U.S. Government is certainly not likely to fold and less likely to lay off workers when a business account or contract terminates.

2. Good Benefits: A full benefits package, including a generous retirement plan and vacation/sick leave that is probably more generous than anything that can be offered in the private sector.

3. Plentiful Job Openings: With the retiring baby-boomers looming on the very near horizon, the demand for new job applicants will be high over the next 5 to 10 years.

These points just touch the surface.

If you are a student looking for that coveted foot in the door that will lead to permanent career employment upon graduation, here is your best bet:

THE STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

Otherwise known as "SCEP" by Federal government human resources professional insiders, this program allows students to "test the waters" at a Federal agency through an internship while still in school. The internship job is usually related to your academic program of studies, you are paid while you work (it is not a volunteer opportunity), and it permits the Federal agency to "try you on for size". After you graduate, and if you perform well on the job, the agency may offer you a permanent job. Based on my experience (and I have had 28+ years of it as a human resources professional), this road leads to permanent employment directly after graduation in most cases. No need to hit the job-seeking road after school is completed -- it's a bird in hand.

WHERE DO YOU LOOK TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?

The best place to start is with your college career center/placement office. This office will usually be staffed with a person (or persons) responsible for coordinating or managing this internship program. Seek out this person (or persons) and ask about internships with the Federal Government, particularly those that allow conversion from temporary employment to permanent employment after graduation. You will want to start this process at least one year before your expected graduation, and preferably at least two years before. Every college office operates a little differently, so you may want to relate the brief information above and they can point you in the right direction. And if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me by clicking "comments" below for this posting.

Happy hunting!