Frequently Asked Questions
Are only U.S. citizens eligible for government employment?
What types of security checks are required?
Does the government offer summer internships?
Does the government have student loan repayment or forgiveness programs?
If I want to work abroad for the government, how do I get there?
How do government and public service salaries compare with similar positions in the private sector?
Are all government internships/jobs really just "busy" office-work, a.k.a. "pushing paper"? Which internships/jobs in the public sector have the best opportunities to offer more responsibilities and substantive work experience?
How should I consider my personal political views relative to government or public service work?
Do I need to have particular political views to work for the government?
Are only U.S. citizens eligible for government employment?
According to information provided by the Office of Personnel Management, Congress bans the use of appropriated funds to employ non-U.S. citizens or nationals, with several exceptions including selected refugee populations, temporary field positions, and nationals of countries currently allied with the U.S. For a complete listing of exceptions, visit: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei9.asp. If you are still unsure of whether you are eligible for employment with a particular agency or branch, contact the office directly.
What types of security checks are required?
The type of security clearance required to work for the government depends on the department and in what capacity a person works. Contact individual offices to find out what type of security check, if any, will be required when applying for a position. Please be aware that internships might also require a certain level of security clearance. According to the State Department Web site, a secret security clearance investigation can take two to four months to complete. Be sure to build this time into your job or internship search.
Does the government offer summer internships?
Yes. All levels of government offer summer internships. Many organizations have established summer internship programs, particularly at the federal and state levels. If you are interested in local government, you should contact the office with which you would like to work directly to see if they would be open to having you as an intern. Some government internships will be paid, but many will not have funding. The Washington Internship Program offers a structured, funded internship experience in government (or not-for-profit) in Washington, D.C., for a selected group of rising seniors each year. In addition, there are several stipends offered by the CWS Stipend Program that support students who want to intern within government and public service. In addition to working directly for the government, students should consider applying for internships with private policy advocacy groups whose main role is to advocate on behalf of their particular constituencies or with regard to a particular set of issues, but who work closely with the government to accomplish their goals.
Does the government have student loan repayment or forgiveness programs?
The federal government authorizes agencies to implement loan repayment programs that are subject to a strict set of provisions. For a complete explanation of loan repayment programs, contact the individual agency with which you would like to work for details on their plan.
If I want to work abroad for the government, how do I get there?
In order to work in a U.S. Embassy, you must be a U.S. citizen who was selected by the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. To be named a member of the Foreign Service you must complete a lengthy and competitive process that begins with taking the Foreign Service Exam. Refer to www.careers.state.gov for up-to-date information on the application process as the exam is usually held approximately once a year and the testing date varies. In addition to the Department of State, the following agencies and departments also hire citizens to work abroad: Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Peace Corps.
How do government and public service salaries compare with similar positions in the private sector?
The degree of salary difference between public and private sector jobs depends on several factors, including type of position and geographical location. According to Professor Schechter, a good example of the difference between public and private sector salaries is that an entry-level Congressional staff person earns $23-25,000/year, while an entry-level private sector paralegal earns about $35,000/year plus overtime.
Are all government internships/jobs really just "busy" office-work, a.k.a. "pushing paper"? Which internships/jobs in the public sector have the best opportunities to offer more responsibilities and substantive work experience?
Not all government jobs involve “pushing paper.” All jobs involve at least some paper work, which is true regardless of sector, type of job, or level of seniority. It is difficult to generalize about different categories of jobs for the most part because the structure of an internship or job experience hinges so much on the willingness of the supervisor to devote the time and effort to make an experience rewarding and the assertiveness of the student/employee herself in seeking extra work. The best way to go about finding if an internship will involve an excessive amount of paper pushing is to ask directly about expectations when being interviewed for an internship, and to speak with former interns in that office about their experiences. The prevailing view is that, if generalizations were to be made, congressional committee work tends to be more substantively interesting than congressional staff work. With the exception of the Department of Justice, most executive branch departments perform highly routine work.
How should I consider my personal political views relative to government or public service work?
“Personal political views are most often inconsequential, unless one has strong views that would make it uncomfortable to work in a particular office. However, if one has a resume full of experiences with liberal organizations, more conservative organizations and congressmen aren't likely to be interested in you, and vice versa. It is wise to think ‘long term’ since a one-sided, heavily political resume might have an impact on future employment possibilities. Several years ago, a former student who had been a speech writer for conservative Republicans in Congress called me to ask if I could help her get a job working for First Lady Hillary Clinton, and I told her she wouldn't be hired because of perfectly natural fear that she might not be loyal.” -- Alan Schechter, Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Do I need to have particular political views to work for the government?
“One does not need to have particular political views to work for the federal government. Keep in mind that the government is very divided politically, so there are employment opportunities for individuals with widely differing views. Depending on your views, you might find it uncomfortable to work in an office where you disagree with your boss’ views, but there are many civil servants who disagree with their boss’ views and carry out their responsibilities to enforce laws in a neutral manner. Obviously, one can work for a congressman or woman on either side of the aisle. Also, there are non-profit policy advocacy organizations speaking out for a wide range of political views.” -- Alan Schechter, Professor Emeritus of Political Science
