On the heels of FIU’s recent rise to the No. 2 university in the U.S. for impact, the university hosted its 19th annual Statewide Federal Government Conference, a symposium and employment fair highlighting careers in public service.
Organized by FIU Career and Talent Development, the conference featured 34 federal government agencies, including the United States Secret Service, the Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and more.
“Panthers are represented in dozens of federal agencies, fulfilling a range of job specializations in every field. FIU students graduate with the critical, 21st-century skills and the drive necessary to succeed in public service. We are grateful to the 34 federal agencies who partnered with us this year to share their insights and advice with Panthers,” said Ruth E. Pacheco, Ph.D., Executive Director for Industry Partnerships and Career Readiness at FIU.
Throughout the day, guest speakers and panelists discussed leading a mission-driven life, shared tips for the application process, debunked myths about landing a federal job, and highlighted the importance of networking.
Among the highlights of the day, Robin D. Bailey Jr., Chief Operating Officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, delivered a keynote address discussing his personal journey from the Air Force to the CDC’s leadership team. Additionally, special guest Vladimir Diaz, Community Relations Officer at Homeland Security Investigations, described his call to service and explained the process to create a profile and search for jobs on USAjobs.gov.
Here are six things Statewide Federal Government Conference participants want you to know if you are interested in a career in the federal government:
- Careers in the federal government offer numerous advantages, including strong compensation and benefits packages, professional development and training, leadership pathways, and more. The job options run the gamut: Opportunities are available in cybersecurity, health and humanity, the sciences, international relations, human resources, communications, and much more.
- You don’t have to move to a big city to make a difference. The advent of remote work has opened a range of new career possibilities for those interested in federal service. Don’t discount the possibility of having a career in the federal government just because you envision yourself remaining in your hometown.
- Federal government agencies are in urgent need of employees who represent the next generation. For example, only 10% of those employed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are below the age of 30. Your fresh ideas, perspectives and up-to-date skills are valuable assets to an aging workforce.
- Apply for job and internship openings in federal agencies via USAjobs.gov, and activate notifications to be alerted when new openings are posted. Workshops are available online to help you navigate the centralized portal and find positions that best fit you.
- Resumes for federal positions follow a specific template that differs from traditional resume writing. FIU Career and Talent Development offers resources to help you perfect your document to ensure the best results during the application process.
- Soft skills allow you to shine. Because many federal agencies provide on-the-job training specific to the position to which you are applying, qualities such as strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking, resilience, resourcefulness, adaptability, eagerness to learn, effective communication and curiosity help you stand out among the applicant pool.
Additionally, those interested in Health & Human Services have a special opportunity at FIU, made possible by a partnership to provide internships through the federal government’s Pathways Program. This partnership was solidified with a memorandum of understanding signed by HHS and FIU in November 2023. October 7, 2024, will be HHS Day at FIU, at which time HHS, CDC, FDA and NIH representatives will be on campus to discuss internship opportunities and career pathways with students.
Claim your Handshake profile, available to FIU students and alumni at no cost, to access a full calendar of professional development workshops and career events, job search and resume writing resources, career advising and more available through FIU Career and Talent Development.