Connect with federal and state agencies at events on and off campus. Review sample opportunities.
Start applying for positions early in your undergraduate tenure. Review the hiring types:
- Volunteer information
- Internship program
- Understanding your eligibility for positions
- Hiring authority for professionals with a disability
BSOS majors have access to events and workshops to learn about the federal application process.
Application Tips
- Review the application process
- How to Read Federal Job Announcements
- 2022 Federal Pay Table
- Understanding the GS Scale (experience & education level determines pay)
- Background Checks and Security Clearances, terms defined
- CIA Application Tips & Programs
- FBI Application Notes
- Federal Air Marshal Service
- Department of the Treasury, International Affairs
- U.S. Census Bureau
- DOJ Antitrust, Paralegal Program
- U.S. Department of State
Log in with your CAS credentials to view the notes.
Start Searching
- Find the Hidden Jobs/Internships
- USAJOBS.gov: Review internship and job openings. Save time by creating a "saved search" that will email you updates
- Maryland internship/job positions
- Resources for a state & local government
- University Career Center's Tips: Internship Searching
30 Fellowships in US Government for Recent Graduates and Young Professionals: If you are a recent graduate interested in serving in the United States government, these fellowships are for you! There are opportunities in a variety of departments and fields, including policy, science, technology, and international affairs.
- Federal jobs by college major.
- Federal careers by field of interest – Go Government offers information on 18 different federal career fields as well as information on “Where the Jobs Are”.
- View a list of all government agencies.
- Occupational Series – Allows applicants to locate job titles categorized into job families.
Use the resources below to research and identify agencies of interest based on their mission statement, mission critical hiring needs, area of work, populations they serve, etc. Create an agency target list by writing down all federal agencies that spark your interest.
- Review the 100+ federal agencies and departments.
- Best places to work in the federal government, the Partnership for Public Services oversees a survey of current employees to create several top ranking lists.
- Top agencies with employees in social sciences.
- Stats on federal employers and work areas to target.
- Intelligence Community - Openings & planning resources.
Some agencies are exempt from posting positions on USAJOBS, so their positions will be publicized on their websites.
How-To
- 5 Tips to Prepare for a US Government Security Clearance in Advance
- Background Checks and Security Clearances for Federal Jobs
- Clearance Chart
- Security Clearance: Prepare Now to Pass Later Notes
- CIA Application Tips & Security Background Overview
Notes:
Every federal agency completes their own background checks. If you have obtained a clearance in the past, it could improve your application, but it does not mean that the applicant will be automatically accepted.
The Interim Security Clearance: If a hiring office requests an interim security clearance, an applicant may be granted an interim security clearance within a few weeks after submitting a complete security package. Final clearances usually are processed and adjudicated in less than 90 days. With an interim clearance, classified work can be performed but in a temporary capacity until a background investigation has been completed.
