Technical Career Intern Program
Providing a Pathway to Future Federal Service
Like many federal agencies, the Department of Energy - and its Office of Fossil Energy - faces the challenge of maintaining a high degree of skill levels within its workforce. The challenge is particularly acute given that two-thirds of the employees who work in the Office of Fossil Energy are eligible to retire within the next four years.
To attract outstanding college graduates into service with the federal government, the Office of Fossil Energy began a Technical Career Intern Program in 2002. Initially conducted as a limited pilot effort, the program is intended to collaborate with the nation's top earth sciences and engineering universities to provide a 'pipeline' for future employees who would work in the Office of Fossil Energy.
As part of the program, the Department of Energy would hire selected college graduates who may be eligible for:
- Summer internship experience at a Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy facility between the sophomore and junior years, and between the junior and senior years;
- Tuition payments of up to approximately one-half tuition during the junior year and full tuition for the senior year;
- A position at the Department of Energy upon graduation;
- Up to $60,000 coverage toward payment of student loans; and
- Tuition reimbursement for receipt of a Master of Science degree at an accredited university.
In August 2003, the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Carl Michael Smith announced that he had chosen the Colorado School of Mines and Penn State University as the first two educational institutions to participate in the new program.
The schools were selected after meetings were held with 18 universities across the country. Recruitment of student interns will begin in the spring of 2004. The initial pilot program is expected to be implemented over a three-year time frame.
After the pilot program is well underway, additional schools may be included.
For More Information:
> Dawn Tolley
Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585, 301-903-2668
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