Federal Internships
Are you looking for an internship with a federal agency or department? The federal government offers a few different types of student employment opportunities. However, you will find that many federal departments and agencies have their own specialized opportunities apart from the standard
student employment regimes listed hereafter. Below you will find descriptions and details of each type of student opportunity the federal government offers as well as a few federal internship search engines intended to help students find their ideal federal internship. Please feel free to use the below information as a guide in your search for federal internships!
If you are looking for an internship at a particular department and/or government agency, view our listing of federal agencies and departments, as well as what student opportunities they offer. By clicking on the internships listed, you will be taken directly to the original internship listing.
If you have any questions about the federal government’s different employment opportunities for students, or would like additional information about a particular internship opportunity, please contact the Office of Career Services.
Federal Internship Search Engines
Student Opportunities offered by the Federal Government1
The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
Formerly known as the Stay-in-School Program, STEP allows the opportunity to gain experience in a wide area of fields that do not have to be related to your field of study. Job opportunities under this component offer you temporary employment ranging from summer jobs to positions that can last for as long as you are a student.
The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
Formerly known as the Cooperative Education Program, SCEP allows students the opportunity to gain experience directly related to their field of study. Under this program, students are eligible for the full range of benefits e.g., health benefits, life insurance, retirement coverage and yearly within-grade increases. It provides formal periods of work and study while students are attending school. It requires a commitment by the student, his or her school, and the employing Federal agency. Students may be eligible for permanent employment under this component after successfully completing your education and meeting work requirements.
The Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)
PMF is designed to attract to Federal Service outstanding men and women from a wide variety of academic disciplines who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs. To be eligible for nomination, an individual must be a graduate student completing or expected to complete, during the current academic year, an advanced degree from a qualifying college or university.
The Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP)2
FCIP is designed to help agencies recruit and attract exceptional individuals into a variety of occupations. It is intended for positions at grade levels GS-5, 7, and 9. In general, individuals are appointed to a 2-year internship. Upon successful completion of the internships, the interns may be eligible for permanent placement within an agency.
The Workforce Recruitment Program
The Workforce Recruitment Program is coordinated by the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense, the Workforce Recruitment Program aims to provide summer work experience, and in some cases full-time employment, for college students with disabilities. The program develops partnerships with other federal agencies, each of whom makes a commitment to provide summer jobs and a staff recruiter. Each year, recruiters interview about 1,500 students with disabilities at college and university campuses across the nation, and develop a database listing the qualifications of each student.
Student Volunteer Program
Federal agencies and departments offer unpaid training opportunities to students in high school and college. These opportunities provide work experience related to your academic program. The program allows you to explore career options as well as develop your personal and professional skills. As a student volunteer, students will be exposed to the Federal work environment and will learn about the missions and responsibilities of various Federal agencies and departments.
(The above information was taken from the Department of Justice website, and can be found here: http://www.usdoj.gov/careers/student_programs.html)
1Please note: The above information should be used for reference only. In addition, APUS may not participate in all of the above listed programs. If you apply to a program that requires an agreement, or have any questions about federal internships, please contact the Office of Career Services.
2Hiring under the Federal Career Intern Program officially ceased on March 1, 2011. The Federal Career Intern Program will soon be replaced by a new entry-level program called the Recent Graduates Program.