Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management participated in Career Day at the Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers, a public charter high school in northwest Washington.

Johari Rashad, a senior human resources specialist at OPM, informed Kamit's young men and women about federal career opportunities and jobs in high demand in the nation's capital and worldwide for individuals who earn a college degree, a high school degree or who have some education or technical training beyond the high school level.

Rashad encouraged the students to consider one of the many career opportunities in the civil service, saying, "Of the 1.8 million federal civil servants currently in service, nearly one-third of us will be eligible to retire soon, and agencies are looking for the people who will replace us."

OPM Director Kay Coles James applauded the school's efforts to introduce students to public service careers.

"We are always excited about opportunities, such as this Career Day made possible by Kamit's forward-thinking faculty, to meet with young men and women who are this nation's next generation of scientists, teachers, engineers and law enforcement or national security officers," said James. "At this stage of their lives, high school students are considering their futures, their college and career plans, and they are thinking more earnestly about the unlimited potential they have to make America stronger and the world a better place."

To further jump-start their interest, Rashad also discussed the federal government's Student Loan Repayment Program, which pays up to $60,000 of the student loans of job applicants who become federal employees. And she offered information on the Scholarship for Service Program, which pays the tuition, plus a stipend, of college students who agree to work for the federal government following completion of a computer security curriculum offered at select colleges and universities across the country.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.