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USDA’s Agricultural Research Service offers internship programs to current students and recent graduates, and even Presidential Management Fellowships, to explore federal careers as paid employees. Check out the following opportunities to see best fits your career goals.
The Student Internship Program provides students in high schools, colleges, trade schools, and other qualifying educational institutions, the opportunity to explore Federal careers as paid employees while completing their education. Student Interns may be appointed for an initial period expected to last more than 1 year, on a temporary basis, or to fill traditional summer jobs. Duties are related to the intern’s academic or career goals and our positions are payable up to the GS-11 grade level.
To be eligible for the Student Internship Program, you must be accepted for enrollment or enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis, as defined by the institution; be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA); and meet the definition of a student throughout the duration of their internship. Visit USAJobs for more information.
The Recent Graduates Program is a 1-year program that provides recent graduates an entry-level developmental experience that will lead to a civil service career. Positions are payable at the GS-09 level or below unless the position is in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. STEM positions may be payable at the GS-11 and GS-12 grade levels, depending on your educational degree.
To be eligible, you must have obtained a qualifying associate, bachelors, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous 2 years. Veterans who were unable to apply during the initial eligibility period due to military service obligation have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon his/her release or discharge from active duty. In no event, may a veteran’s eligibility period extend beyond 6 years from the date on which the individual completed the requirements of an academic course of study. Visit USAJobs for more information.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Internship Program offers a paid internship program for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students at accredited HACU colleges and universities. HACU Students are brought on board three times per year (spring, summer, and fall) and may continue year-round provided they remain eligible and program funding is available. As compensation, HACU undergraduate interns receive $610 per 40-hour week ($15.25 per hour), while graduate interns receive $680 per 40-hour week ($17.00 per hour).
To be eligible, you must have completed your freshman year before the internship begins, maintain a 3.0 GPA, be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and be a U.S. citizen. Recent graduates are eligible if they are within 12 months of graduation. In addition, interns must attend an orientation in Washington, DC. Visit HACU for more information.
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is designed to attract to the federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.
The PMF program follows an annual cycle, starting with program announcement by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), nomination, application and assessment, followed by appointment, through training and development, then graduation, and conversion or appointment to permanent positions.
To be eligible, you must have completed an advanced degree from a qualifying educational institution within 2 years or are scheduled to complete an advanced degree prior to the date that PMF finalists are announced. This is a competitive process in which OPM selects finalists based on an evaluation of each candidate’s experience and accomplishments. Visit OPM for more information.