Research Tools: New Federal Internship Portal Centralizes Search and Application Process for Prospective Interns

From the U.S. Office of Personal Management:

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Labor, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have developed and launched a new portal on USAJOBS for prospective Federal interns. Located at intern.usajobs.gov, the Federal Internship Portal is a one-stop shop for prospective interns to find opportunities and apply for internships in the Federal government.

“Federal internships offer a critical pathway into government and public service,” said OPM Director Kiran Ahuja. “No matter what your interests are, the Federal government offers opportunities in nearly every sector and every industry, from conservation, to housing policy, cybersecurity, and health care. Hundreds of internships are already posted with more opportunities going live every week. A Federal internship is a great way to start your career in public service and make an impact in your community.”

In addition, OPM recently hosted a virtual Federal internship webinar for applicants to hear directly from a panel of former government interns and recent graduates from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, and Environmental Protection Agency. Participants learned how to use the Federal Internship Portal, submit their applications through USAJOBS, and find answers to frequently asked questions, another newly developed resource. Over 1,880 individuals signed up to attend this event with 700 live attendees. You can watch the full webinar here.

In January, OPM and OMB released guidance on increasing opportunities for internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and other student and early career programs in the Federal government. This guidance advances the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) and strengthens the Federal government’s ability to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain the nation’s best talent as outlined in Executive Order 14035.

The guidance advised agencies to:

• Increase the number of interns, fellows, apprentices, and early career hires across the Federal Government, with an emphasis on increasing paid internship opportunities and decreasing reliance on unpaid internships
• Better coordinate and fund strategic Federal internship, fellowships and early career hiring programs
• Focus on the strategic development and implementation of Federal internship, fellowship, and early career hiring programs – while holding senior leaders accountable to using these programs to build an inclusive and diverse Federal workforce talent pipeline

The new Federal Internship Portal and internship guidance are the latest tools deployed by OPM to expand opportunities for early career professionals and give Federal agencies more avenues to recruit talent for their teams. The Federal government recognize that the next generation is eager to make its mark, and there’s no better place to make an impact than the Federal government.

Direct to intern.usajobs.gov

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