Student Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) values the contributions made by students and recent graduates of all ages and backgrounds. The Department runs three programs, collectively the Pathways Programs, for current or recent students:
- Internship Program for current students
- Recent Graduates Program for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs (2 years from the date the graduate completed an academic course of study)
- Presidential Management Fellows Program for individuals who obtained an advanced degree (e.g., graduate or professional degree) within the preceding two years
Interested parties must search and apply for these opportunities using the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/
Internship Program
The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking bright, innovative, results-oriented individuals to join our Pathways Internship Program. As an Intern, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable on the job training and experience related to your field while pursuing your education. Internship can be seasonal (spring, summer, fall or year round). At the successful conclusion of this program, you may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a federal career or career conditional position. Interns may work full-time or part-time schedules. The Pathway Internship Program replaces STEP/SCEP. Temporary appointments may be extended without further competition.
Ideal candidates for DOL internships are individuals pursing undergraduate or graduate degree programs in various fields (e.g. business administration or management, economics, public policy, political science, international relations or studies, accounting, financial management, medical, information technology/information systems, human resource management, pre-law and law.) Candidates will be considered on the basis of the applicability of their education and experience.
Recent Graduates Program
The Recent Graduates Program provides developmental experiences in the federal government. It is intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who, within the previous two years, graduated from qualifying educational institutions with an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from qualifying educational institutions. To be eligible, applicants must apply within the previous two years of degree or certificate completion except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation – who have up to six years after degree or certificate completion to apply. For more information about federal employment information for veterans, go to Office of Personnel Management's Feds Hire Vets website.
Presidential Management Fellows Program
For more than three decades, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program has been the federal government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) candidates. Individuals who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years to participate are eligible to participate.