Are you a recent college graduate looking to make a difference? Consider starting your career with the U.S. federal government. Earlier this year, the federal government added 11,000 jobs and hit a 20-year high for non-census years.
Opportunities are available in a range of sectors, including law enforcement and criminal justice, public policy, international relations, science, research and healthcare.
Lauren Merritt-Taylor, a regulatory analyst at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, delves into the benefits of pursuing a career in the federal government. She also provides valuable tips to help you assess whether a federal government job aligns with your career aspirations.
Benefits of Federal Government Employment
Government workers enjoy rewards that make employment more attractive. Merritt-Taylor says examples include job security, promotion opportunities, health and retirement benefits, and holiday and vacation pay. And the list doesn’t stop there. Consider the following advantages:
Diverse Field Choices
The federal government offers a high level of diversity and a variety of fields. Depending on your position within an agency or if you’re in the field, the work could be fast-paced or steady.
There are also options to work in the Washington, D.C., metro area, across the nation or even overseas.
With so many possibilities, government employees can create intriguing, fulfilling careers. One way to accomplish this is by working in a detail. Details provide temporary opportunities to apply and potentially work in other positions of interest. In some cases, temporary assignments lead to permanent positions.
Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Each federal executive branch agency has an EAP that offers a variety of services such as legal assistance and limited, free mental health sessions. Having a career that values its employees’ work life balance is integral. The key is to take advantage of these offers.
Leadership and Training Opportunities
These opportunities are available to all levels of federal employees. Examples include Management Concepts training and Harvard Kennedy School executive programs and the National Training Program (NTP) offered by Federally Employed Women (FEW).
Additionally, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management offers interagency leadership development courses that can guide you through a career-spanning process of leadership development—from aspiring leader to senior executive. You’ll learn alongside peers from across the government while networking and sharing best practices.
Options to Participate in Numerous Organizations
Federal employees can participate in various organizations and interest groups if they have the time and bandwidth.
For instance, they might join Toastmasters International to improve their public speaking skills. They might also consider gaining new skills and networking through non-profit organizations such as Young Government Leaders (YGL) and FEW.
Top Tips to Consider
Here are some top tips from Merritt-Taylor for determining whether government employment is a good fit for you.
1. Explore USA Jobs
USAJobs is a “one-stop shop” for government employment with many opportunities and resources. Review the section for students and recent graduates with internship, fellowship, job and volunteer opportunities.
Some tabs list the agencies and federal occupations that align with various majors and fields of study. Many of their FAQs about programs, hiring paths and volunteer opportunities can help you in your decision-making process.
2. Research Agencies
Visit the website of a specific agency or multiple agencies to learn more about their mission and vision. Being inquisitive and doing the “groundwork” through research can help during your career decision-making process.
Read what employees are saying about their experiences working for those agencies. Because agencies aren’t all the same, assessing whether the culture aligns with your values and whether the program or staff will be the right fit is critical.
3. Apply for Internships
Internships provide practical experience for students and recent graduates in the environment they seek to work in. They’re also an excellent way to explore government positions and gain invaluable professional experience to add to your resume or curriculum portfolio. I hadn’t considered federal employment until a third-party internship with my alma mater presented me with the opportunity. The experience also debunked preconceived notions about federal employment and what I could expect.
Ask questions, build genuine relationships and gain the knowledge necessary to decide what’s right for you. Those relationships could be valuable for future, professional references.
4. Keep an Open Mind
By remaining open-minded, you could ultimately discover a rewarding and fulfilling career with the federal government that you hadn’t previously considered.
5. Tap Into Career Development Resources
FEW offers various programs and resources focused on career development and leadership training with mentoring, shadowing, and coaching opportunities. The organization also provides workshops, webinars and conferences on topics like work-life balance and stress management. YGL offers internship, mentoring and leadership development opportunities.
Premiere training on the national, regional and chapter levels are just some of the paybacks of FEW membership. This year’s 55th National Training Program (NTP) is scheduled for August 4-8, at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Merritt-Taylor will offer high-impact sessions on the following topics:
- Session 1: Valuable Evaluations: Executing Feedback in all Areas of Life
- Session 2: Your Presence is a Gift: The Impact of Stage Presence
For more information visit: https://few-national-training-program.cventevents.com/event/2024/summary.