Programs
- Cooperative Education Program
- Fascell Fellowship Program
- Presidential Management Fellows Program
- Stay-In-School
- Student Disability Program
- Student Internships (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Summer Clerical Program
- Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs/Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
Cooperative Education Program |
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What is the Cooperative Education Program (also known as the Student Career Experience Program, SCEP)? It's when you, your school, and the U.S. Department of State get together for the good of your career. It's classroom studies and on-the-job training. It's how you can serve your nation while receiving the experience you need for the job of your choice.
In this program, you'll apply theories and work on projects that give real-life meaning to your classroom instruction. Scheduling is flexible and you could alternate full-time work with full semesters or quarters of study, or there may be part-time work available while you pursue your studies. You will earn a paycheck right from the start and become automatically eligible for paid vacations and holidays, health and life insurance coverage, and retirement and investment plans.
Eligibility requirementsTo qualify, you must be pursuing a degree, certificate or diploma (full time or part time), and at least 16 years of age. You also need to be in good academic standing at your school, a U.S. citizen, and able to meet security requirements.
Click here to download the Cooperative Education Program brochure. (311kb, PDF)
Fascell Fellowship Program | |
We are not currently accepting applications for the Fascell Fellowship Program. If you would like to be notified when this program opens, please subscribe to our email list by clicking on the red "Sign up to receive e-mail updates" icon.
Imagine having the opportunity to work outside the United States in support of a diplomatic or consular mission. It's possible if you become a Fascell fellow.
Fellowship opportunities are available in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and China. Participating posts have included: Beijing, China; Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Kyiv, Ukraine; Krakow, Poland; Minsk, Belarus; Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Vilnius, Lithuania; and Yerevan, Armenia.
A Fascell fellowship gives you firsthand exposure to a foreign culture, while you are serving your nation. Typically, your duties may involve substantive administrative, consular, political/economic or public diplomacy responsibilities. Most fellowships are intended for, but not limited to, teachers, scholars, academics, and graduates of advanced-level programs focused on Eastern Europe, Slavic, or Mandarin languages.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this one to two year assignment with training, you must be:
- a U.S. citizen
- at least 21 years of age on the closing date of the application deadline
- fluent in the language of the country for which you want to be considered
- enrolled in, or a graduate of, a relevant advanced degree program focused on language or area studies
Experience may be substituted for a degree. You also must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance and meet Department of State medical requirements. All positions include government housing, travel, and transportation costs.
Presidential Management Fellows Program | |
We are not currently accepting applications for the Presidential Management Fellows Program. If you would like to be notified when this program opens, please subscribe to our email list by clicking on the red "Sign up to receive e-mail updates" icon.
If you have an interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs, consider exploring the possibilities of becoming a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) at the U.S. Department of State.
For 29 years, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program, formerly known as the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program, has been utilized by federal agencies to attract outstanding graduate students from a wide variety of academic disciplines to public service. Recognized as one of the most prestigious and effective training and development programs available in the Federal Government, the PMF Program hones the skills and competencies, as well as cultivates the management and leadership potential, of the Fellows by providing them with a two-year fellowship that offers extensive formal classroom training and rotational assignment opportunities.
Among federal agencies, the U.S. Department of State is one of the top participants in the PMF Program and possesses one of the most sought-after PMF Programs, with more than 65% of each PMF Finalist class applying for DOS positions each year. Since 1997, the Department has hired over 540 Fellows and the majority of these Fellows have successfully converted into permanent civil service positions. Demonstrating success in both recruitment and retention, the Department's PMF Program continues to channel a stream of exceptional future leaders and managers, whose qualifications align with the Department’s workforce needs, to the Civil Service thus enhancing the Department’s succession planning objectives.
To apply for this highly competitive fellowship, you first must be nominated by a dean, director, or chairperson of your graduate academic program. Beginning in September, nominations are reviewed and presented to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) which administers finalist selections for the PMF Program. After further review by OPM (e.g., verification of nomination), applicants are then invited to participate in a structured assessment at the assessment site of their choice.
Assessment Process
OPM administers a rigorous assessment process during which candidates are evaluated based on critical competencies. The following selection criteria are used in the PMF assessment process:
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Selected OPM Leadership Competencies
- Written Communication
Applicants will complete an objectively scored assessment that focuses on the areas listed above during the months of January and February in the following year after applying. Based on their scores, and any veterans' preference adjudication, nominees are ranked and notified of their selection as Finalists in early or mid March in the following year after applying.
If selected for employment by the U.S. Department of State, your appointment will begin after successful completion of your graduate school program and the successful completion of a Top Secret security clearance background investigation. You will be appointed to a paid, two-year probationary fellowship, which will include rigorous formal classroom training and rotational assignments. Fellows will receive the opportunity to work in varying offices, bureaus, overseas embassies/consulates, agencies, and even in other branches of government. Upon the successful completion of the two-year fellowship, you will become eligible for conversion to a permanent position in the competitive service and obtain career or career-conditional status.
More detailed information, including nomination guidelines, forms and deadlines, can be found at www.pmf.opm.gov.
Eligibility requirements
Students who complete a graduate degree (master's or doctoral-level degree) during the 2007-2008 academic year (September 1, 2007-August 31, 2008) from an academic institution formally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education are eligible to be nominated by their schools if they demonstrate the following:
- breadth and quality of accomplishments,
- capacity for leadership, and
- interest in/commitment to excellence in the leadership and management of policies and programs.
To be eligible for placement with a Federal agency through the Presidential Management Fellows Program applicants must successfully defend and complete any required thesis or dissertation.
Students who wish to be considered for the PMF Program must be nominated by their school's Nomination Official (Dean, Chairperson, or Program Director, or their designee, such as a Nomination Coordinator) of their graduate program. Each school conducts a competitive screening process to evaluate its graduating PMF applicants based on the above eligibility criteria, and makes its final determination of nominees by mid-October 2007. Students must first check with their school's Nomination Coordinator to confirm the school's process and deadlines for nomination into the PMF Program. To find out more and to apply to the PMF Program, go to: www.pmf.opm.gov.
Stay-in-School | |
Part of you wants to stay in school, and part of you wants to work. You can do both through the Stay-in-School Program (also known as the Student Temporary Employment Program, STEP). It's the perfect work-study combination.
For starters, you'll work part-time when school is in session and full-time during vacation periods. Many of our opportunities are in office or administrative support fields. Now here's the really good part: You'll be paid at regular Government salary rates, dependent on your assigned duties, and you can be promoted or rewarded based on your performance. Plus, you'll gain valuable experience while serving your nation.
Eligibility requirements
So how do you get into the program? You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years of age and enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student (full time or part time) in any high school, vocational school or undergraduate program.
Click here to download the Stay-in-School Program brochure. (511kb, PDF)
Student Disability Program | |
A job. A chance. A future. If you are a student with a disability, the Department of State may want to employ you. In an effort to increase the hires of people with disabilities the Department has partnered with the Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment and Policy, and the U.S. Department of Defense, who administer the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP). The purpose of the program is to attract and refer talented students with disabilities to federal and private sector organizations for temporary and permanent employment.
Students are interviewed on campuses across the country and names are placed in a database available to participating federal agencies. Grade level is determined by the number of college credits and experience obtained at the time of employment, and hiring is done under the Student Temporary appointment for the summer only.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for participation, you must be U.S. citizen, have a substantial disability, and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree seeking student at an accredited institution of higher learning on a substantially full-time basis (unless the severity of the disability precludes you from taking a substantially full-time load) or have graduated with a degree from such an institution within the past year.
Student Internships (Spring, Summer, Fall) |  |
We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2009 Student Internship Program. Please click here, or on the Gateway to State button above, to start the online application process. Please note that the deadline to submit completed applications is November 3, 2008.
What could a student internship mean to you at the U.S. Department of State? It's an opportunity for you to get an inside look at the different types of positions and responsibilities available in foreign affairs. Think of it as taking a career test ride before you actually have to decide what you are going to do with your life. You can also gain valuable work experience that will help you in virtually every endeavor, whether you choose to work in government or in the private sector. Then there's the added benefit of feeling good about knowing you are really doing something worthwhile for your nation.
At the U.S. Department of State, we like to say we're the face of America to the world. As an intern, you will be, too. Some of our students work in Washington, DC, and others have the opportunity to work at an embassy overseas. Positions are both paid and unpaid, and many are available during spring, summer or fall.
For internship program details such as duties of an intern, participating offices and bureaus, types of internships, salary/benefit/housing information, please download the Student Internship Information Brochure (805kb, PDF).
Eligibility requirements
You must be:
- a U.S. citizen. U.S. citizenship and good academic standing are required, along with the successful completion of a background investigation, and the ability to receive either a Secret or Top Secret clearance (34kb, PDF). Random drug testing will be performed.
- a Student. A student is an individual who has been accepted for enrollment, or who is enrolled as a degree-seeking student in an accredited college or university
- a full- or part-time continuing college or university junior, or graduate student (including graduating seniors intending to go on to graduate school.) An applicant is considered a junior if he/she will have completed all sophomore credits (60 or more hours or 90 quarter hours) by the time the internship begins will be entering at least the junior year immediately completion of the internship.
IMPORTANT: You are eligible to apply for the Department's internship program if you have not yet completed your registration at a college or university for graduate or post-graduate studies (including law school) or are awaiting an admissions determination for graduate or post-graduate studies (including law school). However, if selected for an internship, you must provide proof that you have registered, or have been accepted for enrollment, for studies in the semester or quarter immediately following the internship before you can begin your internship.
A broad range of academic majors is sought in areas such as Business, Public Administration, Social Work, Economics, Information Management, Journalism and Biological, Physical or Engineering Sciences; intern duties and responsibilities vary according to post or office assignment, from scientific/technical tasks to administrative projects to logistical support.
For overseas assignments, applicants must present evidence of medical insurance coverage. All students must be available to begin their internship within the appropriate application timetable. Click here to download the 2008 Student Internship Information Brochure (3089kb, PDF).
| DESCRIPTION OF BUREAUS OFFERING INTERNSHIPS (Partial list of bureaus with positions for the Spring/Summer/Fall Internship program.) |
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| Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) (35kb, PDF). |
| Offices in the Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Bureau (EEB) (65kb, PDF). |
| Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) (148kb, PDF). |
Bureau of International Information Programs
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| Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR/R) (45kb, PDF). |
| Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Scientific Affairs (OES) (47kb, PDF). |
| Office of the Secretary |
| United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN) (46kb, PDF). |
| Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) (64kb, PDF). |
Summer Clerical Program | |
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2008 Summer Clerical Program. Please sign up under Keep Me Informed to receive updates for the application opening for Summer 2009.
Get acquainted with the challenges and opportunities at the U.S. Department of State through our Summer Clerical Program. Why do we offer this program? The reasons are twofold. First, it allows us to get you interested in a career with us. It also helps us to relieve staffing shortage when our employees are away on summer vacation. It's a win-win situation for everyone. We get the summer staffing we need. You get work experience and earn money to help with continuing your education. There's also something else that comes along with the job: the feeling of satisfaction when you know you're doing something really worthwhile for your nation.
Office support duties include but are not limited to: answering telephones and other receptionist-related duties; filing and maintaining office files; typing and/or using a computer terminal to perform various office functions including initial entry of drafted materials using a variety of computer software packages; reviewing outgoing correspondence for correct format, grammar, punctuation and typographical errors; and photocopying and assembling reports and briefings for distribution.
It's our policy to provide an open, systematic and equitable assignment process that assures that positions are filled with the best-qualified individuals. New-hire applicants for the Summer Clerical Program are appointed on a competitive basis according to Office of Personnel Management guidelines. Selections are based on job-related criteria in line with merit principles.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for a Summer Clerical position, you must be:
- a U.S. citizen, age 16 or older at time of appointment
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.,) seeking student
- taking at least half-time academic/vocational/or technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school
- able to complete a background investigation to determine eligibility for a security clearance
Positions at the GS-1, GS-2, GS-3 & GS-4 levels also have varying minimum requirements for school and/or work experience.
Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs/Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
"The Secretary of State may make grants to post-secondary educational institutions or students for the purpose of increasing the level of knowledge and awareness of and interest in employment with the Foreign Service, consistent with section 105 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall give special emphasis to promoting such knowledge and awareness of, and interest in employment with the Foreign Service among minority students. Any grants awarded shall be made pursuant to regulations to be established by the Secretary of State, which shall provide for a limit on the size of any specific grant and, regarding any grants to individuals, shall ensure that no grant recipient receives an amount of grants from one or more Federal programs which in the aggregate would exceed the cost of his or her education, and shall require satisfactory educational progress by grantees as a condition of eligibility for continued receipt of grant funds." — PUBLIC LAW 101-246, 101st Congress, 104 STAT.42 Section 47
Are you an outstanding undergraduate student? Do you think you might be interested in pursuing a Foreign Service career with the U.S. Department of State? If so, you should consider applying for a Pickering Fellowship.
The Pickering Fellowship program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, and is administered by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
Eligibility requirements
Undergraduate Fellowships are open to students enrolled in their sophomore year of college at the time of Student Programs application. Students who will have received their bachelor's degree by June 2008 and will be enrolled in the first year of a two-year full-time master's degree program relevant to international affairs for the 2008-2009 academic year are eligible for the Graduate Fellowship. Only United States citizens will be considered for the Pickering Fellowships. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
