2002.07.15:HHS Launches Emerging Leaders Program to Attract Talented Young People to Public Service

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 15, 2002

Contact:

HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS LAUNCHES EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
TO ATTRACT TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PUBLIC SERVICE

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today welcomed to HHS the first class of Emerging Leaders, a new program designed to attract exceptional individuals into public service in a variety of occupations within HHS.

"Public service is a noble calling, and we need to attract the best and brightest into government," Secretary Thompson said. "While public service carries enormous responsibilities, the rewards are tremendous, particularly at HHS where you have the opportunity to make the lives of millions of Americans healthier and safer."

HHS hired 62 people into the program out of the more than 8,000 people who applied. The inaugural class includes workers of many backgrounds, experiences, ages and ethnic groups.

Participants have skills ranging from neuroscience and epidemiology to budget analysis and computer sciences, and are graduates of institutions for all over the nation.

"HHS is doing its part in rising to the challenge of meeting the need for outstanding personnel in the federal workforce," Secretary Thompson said. "The positive response to this program, as evidenced by the thousands of applications received, clearly shows that young people are interested in pursuing careers in public service.

The Emerging Leaders Program is a two-year internship program designed to bring new talent into the agency. It is targeted at new graduates with bachelors or masters degrees and stresses growth and development into a federal career.

The interns are hired into a specific operating division of HHS, but will spend the first year of the program doing 60- or 90-day rotations in offices throughout the department. During the second year of the program, the intern works specifically within the operating division they were hired. All interns will have a mentor to provide guidance and advice on career development.

Interns may work in areas such as administrative (budget, personnel, grants, etc), public health, scientific, social sciences or information technology.

More information about the Emerging Leaders Program is available at www.hhs.gov/jobs/elp.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

HHS LAUNCHES EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM TO ATTRACT TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PUBLIC SERVICE

HHS LAUNCHES EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
TO ATTRACT TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO PUBLIC SERVICE