8357 PPS

Red White & Blue Jobs

Making a Difference

With Your Liberal Arts Degree

Liberal Arts

Liberal Art s

www.calltoserve.org

he Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit

organization working to inspire a new generation to serve and

to transform the way government works.

Call to Serve is a national initiative, co-sponsored by the Partnership

and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, that seeks to educate

young people about the promise and potential of careers in public

service. Its national network includes more than 500 colleges and

universities, 60 federal agencies and 10 youth–oriented

organizations.

Visit www

.calltoserve.org to learn more about the opportunities

available in the federal government.

liberal art s

Red, White and Blue Jobs: Making a Difference

With Your Liberal Arts Degree

Entering the job market with a liberal arts education can feel more daunting than graduating

with a business, engineering or other pre-professional degree. After all, a diploma from an

engineering school tells prospective employers that you are qualified for a job as an engineer.

What does a liberal arts diploma say about your qualifications for any particular job?

Your coursework in English or anthropology or a foreign language may not have given you the

same kind of clear skill set that the engineering student gained, but you have developed skills

and talents that are just as valuable in the work world. It may surprise you to find that many

employers – including the federal government – think a liberal arts degree opens more doors

than it closes. In fact, the federal government employs hundreds of thousands of individuals

with backgrounds in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The government needs your

talent, particularly your:

Analytical skills

Research background

Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities

Writing and communications expertise

After you’ve had a chance to look through this booklet, don’t forget to check out Red, White

and Blue Jobs: Finding A Great Job in the Federal Government

, our one-stop job search resource

with additional information on working for the federal government, including sections on what

different federal agencies do, what you can expect in terms of pay and benefits, job locations

and tips on landing an internship or job. You can download your own free copy at

www

.calltoserve.org.

Median Earnings for Jobs, Federal Government vs. All Employers

(Bureau of Labor Statistics and Fedscope, 2002)

H Did You Know…

Workers from the National

Archives and Records

Administration provided

essential support for our

wartime efforts in Iraq.

Archivists spent three

weeks during the summer

of 2003 in the Middle East

assisting coalition forces in

developing and

implementing records

management procedures.

Top Agencies Employing Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Majors

Department of Defense 137,453

Social Security Administration 45,422

Department of Treasury 41,701

Department of Homeland Security 30,618

Department of Transportation 30,168

Department of Veterans Affairs 27,867

Department of Justice 18,775

Department of Health and Human Services 13,547

Department of the Interior 15,494

Department of Agriculture 12,965

Department of State 9,707

Department of Labor 7,210

Environmental Protection Agency 6,443

Department of Commerce 4,546

Department of Energy 3,796

Department of Housing and Urban Development 3,434

General Services Administration 3,330

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 3,218

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2,848

Department of Education 2,500

National Archives and Records Administration 2,043

Smithsonian Institution 1,776

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1,441

Broadcasting Board of Governors 1,312

Office of Personnel Management 1,297

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

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$45,090

$69,934

$54,290

$61,981

$40,160

$56,633

$62,530

$72,665

$42,380

$57,321

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

ivil servants with liberal arts degrees work on everything from programs that

promote child nutrition to those that ensure our parents and grandparents

get their Social Security checks. Who is hiring them?

liberal art s

SHOW ME THE JOBS

The federal government’s broad mission means it needs all different types of

people, not only those with specialized degrees such as nursing and engineering.

The government is also looking for smart people with more general backgrounds

who can learn quickly on the job and apply their skills to a wide variety of

programs. After all, with approximately 1.8 million civilian workers, the

government is composed of a range of federal agencies, across the country and even

overseas.

A four-year degree in practically any discipline will open the door to thousands of

jobs. You may find an opportunity to develop your management and analytical

skills working on issues ranging from environmental protection to civil rights to

border safety. If you are thinking about pursuing a law degree in the future, you

might consider working as a paralegal specialist. You may even decide that you

would like to develop an entirely new set of skills on the job – whether it is as an

investigator, a human resources specialist or an air traffic controller.

Whatever direction you choose, federal agencies will build on your college degree

and train you to apply critical thinking, analysis and communications skills to

more specific areas. Once hired, you will gain practical experience and work with

some of the most knowledgeable experts anywhere.

Want to delve a little bit deeper? Keep reading if you are working on or have

earned a degree in one of these areas:

Arts and Design p. 4

Communications p. 6

Education and Library Sciences p. 8

Humanities p. 10

Social Sciences p. 12

Government and International Relations p. 14

Arts and Design

Do you have designs on a job that offers creative freedom? You can find a wide

variety of applied and fine arts-related careers in the government. Take a look at

how thousands have chosen to perform public service and indulge their creative

appetites at the same time.

Internships

Junior and senior art history majors can gain significant research experience through the

Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies’ (SCEMS) Katzenberger Foundation

Art Internship. Interns conduct research, network with the members of the Smithsonian art

community and have access to several enrichment training opportunities throughout the internship.

This paid internship is intended to provide an opportunity for high-achieving students with

financial challenges to participate in a significant research experience.

intern.si.edu/internship_types_subject.html#art

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers unpaid internships year-round for both

undergraduate and graduate students. Get an in-depth look at arts activities across the country,

assist in the process of awarding federal grants, gain access to an extensive arts library and have the

opportunity to participate in meetings at the National Council on the Arts.

arts.endow.gov/about/jobs/Internships.html

The Library of Congress’ Conservation Division Photograph Conservation Internship

Program offers graduate students the opportunity to receive training in photograph conservation.

Interns are challenged to develop solutions for a broad range of photographs and collections and are

exposed to a variety of areas including documentation, examination, treatment, housing, preventive

conservation and research. The internship typically lasts 11-12 months and generally follows the

academic year. www.loc.gov/preserv/int_photo.html

H Did You Know...

The Smithsonian was

founded with a bequest

from British scientist

James Smithson to serve

as an “institution for the

increase and diffusion of

knowledge among men.”

For the last 156 years, the

Smithsonian has

remained true to this

mission, hosting

thousands of exhibits

and millions of visitors

every year.

Top Agencies Employing Arts and Design Majors

Department of Defense 3,947

Smithsonian 1,057

Broadcasting Board of Governors 1,015

Department of the Interior 975

Department of Agriculture 719

Department of Health and Human Services 511

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

Ever think twice about the art installations at federal office buildings and courthouses? Bill

Caine has. Caine began his career in government with a summer internship at the National

Gallery of Art in Washington while studying art history at the University of Maryland. This led

to a position as curatorial assistant at the museum and, eventually, to his current job as a fine

art specialist for the Art in Architecture Program of the General Services Administration. Caine

works closely with museum directors, curators and other art experts to help the government

review and select the best artist for each new federal building project.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Bill Caine

Fine Art Specialist

Art in Architecture Program, General Services Administration

liberal art s

“Art has been my

primary interest for as

long as I can

remember, and

working for the

federal government to

help continue the

tradition of great art

for the nation's

important civic spaces

is tremendously

rewarding.”

-Bill Caine

Careers

Audio-visual production specialists at the Department of Defense contribute to the production of

television programs, radio broadcasts, films and other media. Use your training in the visual arts to

help with the production process, from start to finish. www.dod.gov

Art education specialists at the National Gallery of Art help coordinate and conduct school

outreach activities to educate students on the arts and their importance. You can research artists

and their artwork in order to develop age-appropriate curricula and encourage a healthy

appreciation for the arts. www.nga.gov/resources/employ.htm

Architects at the Department of Veterans Affairs select the methods, schedules and interior design

materials for hospital construction projects that minimize interference with normal operations.

Architects review plans and specifications, prepare necessary drawings and identify the most efficient

procedures for interior building design and performance. Be a part of this vitally important work of

ensuring quality healthcare for America’s veterans. www.va.gov/jobs

Government Careers for Arts and Design Majors

(Fedscope, September 2003)

OTHER

MUSEUM SPECIALIST & TECHNICIAN

PHOTOGRAPHY

AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION

ARCHITECTURE

VISUAL INFORMATION

GENERAL ARTS & INFORMATION

7.7%

9.8%

13.7%

15.4%

17.2%

29.6%

6.6%

Communications

In order to be effective, every organization must be skilled at communicating its

purpose, goals and accomplishments in a meaningful and persuasive way. This is

even more important when the organization is accountable to the public, as

government agencies are. Government employees work in public affairs,

telecommunications, writing and editing to ensure that the government’s work is

properly conveyed to the public. Below are just some of the possibilities for a

communications career in the federal government.

H Did You Know…

The Broadcasting Board of

Governors is responsible

for U.S. international

broadcasting reaching

more than 100 million

listeners, viewers and

Internet users in almost

every country.

Broadcasters work in over

50 languages to spread

comprehensive news

throughout the world.

Top Agencies Employing Communications Majors

Department of Defense 6,726

Department of Justice 1,194

Department of the Interior 1,110

Department of Agriculture 996

Department of Health and Human Services 645

Department of Treasury 590

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

“Federal service

affords an individual

the invaluable

opportunity to take

part in the actions

that shape our

society.”

-Leni Uddyback-Forston

As a member of the public affairs team for the U.S. Department of Labor, Leni Uddyback-Forston

has worked on a variety of projects, including planning a rally for more than 1,500 students to

promote awareness about the rights and responsibilities of employees under the age of 18. As

the assistant regional director, she serves as an official spokesperson for the Department in six

eastern states and the District of Columbia. Uddyback-Forston began her federal service as a

graduate student intern for the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration,

where she concentrated on the Welfare-to-Work program, which helps welfare recipients find

employment. She has since applied her training in government administration and more than

10 years of communications experience to an array of responsibilities with the Labor

Department’s Office of Public Affairs.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Leni Uddyback-Forston

Assistant Regional Director, Philadelphia Regional Office

Office of Public Affairs, Department of Labor

liberal art s

H Did You Know…

More than half of the

offices within the

Department of the Interior

have writers/editors and

editorial assistants on staff.

Internships

Be a vital part of health and science communications projects through the National Cancer

Institute’s (NCI) Health Communications Internship Program. This six-month paid internship

in the areas of health communications and science is taken on while completing your master’s

degree or Ph.D. Use your background in public health, health education, science, biostatistics,

epidemiology, communications, marketing, public relations, news writing or science writing to take

part in publicizing some of the most cutting-edge cancer research. internship.cancer.gov/

Enjoy the opportunity to work on a multitude of communications issues through an internship

with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the federal agency charged with

regulating interstate and international radio, television, wire, satellite and cable communications. If

you’re a graduate or undergraduate student with strong academic credentials, solid interpersonal

skills, excellent writing ability and enthusiasm for serving the public, the Commissioner would love

to give you an inside look at FCC operations.

www.fcc.gov/commissioners/abernathy/internships.html

Careers

Public affairs specialists at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) respond to requests for

information from the media and the public. As the voice of the FBI, they prepare and disseminate

national news releases that reflect the official position of the agency and participate in briefing news

media representatives on the FBI's programs and activities. Public affairs specialists may also

prepare internal communications and assist senior staff with breaking news issues. www.fbijobs.com

Writers and editors at the Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

plan, design and oversee development of publications that communicate the Bureau’s policies or

promote programs and activities of public interest across the nation. Writers also develop reports

for testimony to Congress and design and produce reports on major programs for the public, the

academic community and industry experts. www.ttb.gov

Government Careers for Communications Majors

(Fedscope, September 2003)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

OTHER

LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

TECHNICAL WRITING & EDITING

WRITING & EDITING

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

9.0%

12.2%

29.0%

37.7%

5.0%

7.1%

Education and Library Sciences

The federal government is continually looking to hire those with backgrounds in

education, training and library science. Whether the job entails teaching the

children of members of the Armed Forces, providing vocational training, or

supporting an agency’s library and archives, these skills are critical to the nation’s

future.

Internships

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries (SIL) provides opportunities for undergraduate and

graduate students to explore careers in library and information sciences. Interns may work on a

discrete project as assigned by SIL staff or participate in a structured practical experience.

Internships are available in all three divisions of the SIL: Research Services, Management and

Technical Services and Systems. www.sil.si.edu/Information-Files/intern-opportunities.htm

Internships with the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Center for

Legislative Archives provide opportunities for undergraduates and graduates to work with Center

staff to provide reference services to Congress, congressional scholars and the public. The Center

houses the official records of the standing, special, select and joint committees of the House of

Representatives and the Senate dating from the first Congress.

www.archives.gov/careers/internships/washington_dc.html#text1

Careers

Educators/teachers at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) work to educate

the families of our armed forces. DoDEA provides educational programs in military communities

worldwide that inspire and prepare students for success in a global environment. DoDEA teachers

have the opportunity to live overseas while ensuring that children of our armed forces get a sound

education. www.odedodea.edu/pers/employment

Nurse educators at the Department of Health and Human Service’s Indian Health Service (IHS)

are responsible for managing educational and staff development programs within the IHS’s service

units. These responsibilities include everything from the new employee orientation program to

teaching classes as staff needs are identified. www.ihs.gov

Department of Navy library aides/technicians acquire, organize, preserve, access and disseminate

information for the public and the agency. Responsibilities may include providing services such as

materials acquisition and copy cataloging. Job applicants are encouraged to exhibit practical

knowledge of library or related information services, tools, and methods and procedures.

chart.donhr.navy.mil/index.asp

H Did You Know…

The Department of Defense

Education Activity employs

approximately 8,800

teachers and serves

106,000 students

worldwide.

H Did You Know…

Interns at the Library of

Congress receive a library

card that allows them to

borrow books — books that

only other library

employees and members of

Congress and their staffs

are eligible to take out.

Liberal Art s

Top Agencies Employing Education and Library Science Majors

Department of Defense 24,015

National Archives and Record Administration 1,612

Department of Justice 1,485

Department of Veterans Affairs 1,120

Department of the Interior 839

Department of Health and Human Services 809

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

After teaching secondary school for several years, Britt Jung joined the Department of

Education as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2001. She was initially very active in the

Smaller Learning Communities Program, which works for high school reform. She also spent

several months working on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Since then, Jung has applied her training and experience to the analysis of education

legislation as it works toward improving the educational system for our country’s youth.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Britt Jung

Program Specialist, Student Achievement and School Accountability

Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Department of Education

“I went into education

policy because I

wanted to be a bridge,

a policy maker who

could also speak from

the perspective of the

practitioners and thus,

have a good

understanding of the

whole picture.”

- Britt Jung

Government Careers for Education and Library Science Majors

(Fedscope, September 2003)

OTHER

EDUCATION & VOCATIONAL TRAINING

TRAINING INSTRUCTION

EDUCATION & TRAINING TECHNICIAN

GENERAL EDUCATION & TRAINING

10.3%

29.3%

15.3%

16.5%

28.7%

Humanities

Are you a history buff, or are you studying English or comparative literature?

Federal agencies rely upon the research, writing and communications skills of

liberal arts majors to help them make informed decisions on a wide variety of

topics. If you have strong foreign language skills, you, too, are in demand.

Agencies like the CIA, the State Department and the various branches of the

military service all depend on individuals who help them communicate in other

languages. Be sure to also take a look at our section covering international

relations to discover additional opportunities.

Internships

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Education offers practical

research opportunities and experiences for fellows through its National Network for

Environmental Management Studies. Fellowships are available for undergraduate and graduate

students in environmental policy, regulation, and law; environmental management and

administration; environmental science; public relations and communications; and computer

programming and development. www.epa.gov/epahome/intern.htm

Through the U.S. Department of Education’s Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship,

graduate students participate in academic year or summer fellowships to develop foreign language

skills and gain experience in international affairs. Acquire foreign language fluency and expertise in

a particular region of the world and join the country’s next generation of international experts.

www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsflasf/index.html

Government Careers for Humanities Majors

(Fedscope, September 2003)

H Did You Know…

The Smithsonian Institution

houses more than 143

million of our nation’s most

valuable artifacts,

attracting millions of

visitors to its exhibitions

and museums each year.

OTHER

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

SOCIAL WORK

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

INTELLIGENCE

CUSTOMS INSPECTION

BORDER PATROL AGENT

7.8%

8.9%

19.2%

26.5%

11.6%

8.7%

17.4%

Liberal Art s

Top Agencies Employing Humanities Majors

Department of Homeland Security 21,062

Department of Defense 10,870

Department of State 5,013

Department of Veterans Affairs 4,550

Department of Justice 3,255

National Archives and Records Administration 1,680

Department of Agriculture 1,394

Department of the Interior 1,192

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

Careers

Where do Members of Congress turn for nonpartisan research and fact-finding? They look to the

researchers at the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, which hires experts

in a variety of issues and disciplines, including law, economics, foreign affairs, public

administration, history and social and political sciences. www.loc.gov/crsinfo/whatscrs.html#staff

Linguists at the National Security Agency are involved in research, translation, transcription,

reporting and analysis of materials of national concern. Graduates with majors in languages such as

Arabic, Chinese, Thai and Turkish are particularly encouraged to apply. www.nsa.gov

The Social Security Administration is looking to hire graduates with liberal arts backgrounds to

fill jobs in a number of fields, including information technology and human resources. Social

Security helps 50 million people each month and is the world’s largest social insurance program.

www.socialsecurity.gov/careers

After a 15 year career as a professional musician, Jeff Jensen graduated summa cum laude

with a degree in History from Georgia State University and began his new career as a historic

preservation and fine arts specialist with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). He’s

since gone on to receive his Master’s in Heritage Preservation while working to coordinate

GSA’s Southeast Sunbelt Region’s historic preservation compliance and advocacy program and

maintaining the regional collection of fine arts and Art-in-Architecture.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Jeff Jensen

Regional Historic Preservation and Fine Arts Specialist

General Services Administration

“The analytical and

critical thinking skills,

ability to understand

the larger context of

situations, and most

importantly the writing

skills I acquired

through studying the

humanities provide me

with the necessary

tools I need to carry

out the mission of my

agency. I have the

great satisfaction of

knowing that the work

I do every day makes

our country a better

place.”

- Jeff Jensen

Social Sciences

Social science is defined as a discipline that deals with the interrelationships of

individuals in a social environment. Doesn’t that sound like a discipline with

which the government is involved? Whether you have majored in anthropology,

archaeology, economics, sociology or religion, the federal government has a need

for bright individuals knowledgeable in the social sciences. Over the years, social

insurance administrators, economists and social workers have all helped to improve

the quality of life for American citizens.

Top Agencies Employing Social Science Majors

Social Security Administration 26,712

Department of Defense 20,908

Department of Veterans Affairs 8,303

Department of Treasury 5,543

Department of Health and Human Services 4,349

Department of Justice 3,591

Department of Agriculture 2,694

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

David Kuehn works on the Transportation Planning Capacity Building Initiative in the Federal

Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Planning. The program provides support to

decision makers, transportation officials and staff as they seek to resolve complex

transportation needs in their communities. Prior to his six years of service with FHWA, Kuehn

worked in local government and as a planning and environment consultant in southern

California. Kuehn is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and earned an

MPA from University of Southern California. He received his B.A. from the University of

California, Irvine.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

David Kuehn

Community Planner

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Planning

“Working for the

federal government

has given me an

opportunity to see

firsthand and truly

appreciate the

diversity of people,

communities and

issues throughout the

United States.”

- David Kuehn

Internships

Full-time research internships at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Behavioral Science

Unit (BSU) allow undergraduate and graduate students to assist in research, analysis and reporting

of data from various projects ranging from hate crimes to counterterrorism. The BSU is located at

the FBI Academy on the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Virginia. Applicants should be at least in

their junior year of college, and students majoring in criminal justice or a related field, such as

sociology or psychology, are preferred. Interns receive hands-on experience in areas such as crime

analysis and researching criminal behavior. www.fbi.gov/employment/academy.htm

Participants in the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) summer internship program receive

exposure to the budget process and policymaking at the federal level. The CBO is the agency that

provides Congress with the analyses needed for economic and budgetary decisions. Interns work in

areas as varied as health care, the environment, budget and tax policy and education. Internships

are typically 10 weeks long and include a stipend based on academic level and work experience.

www.cbo.gov/Intern.cfm

Careers

Clinical psychologists at the Federal Bureau of Prisons work closely with inmates in federal

prisons. They work with prison inmates as members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team,

administering a wide variety of psychological assessments, interpreting results and preparing

comprehensive reports. www.bop.gov

Social workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ VA Medical Center design, implement and

coordinate medical and support services for veterans. They also prepare proposals for program

revision or expansion and secure funding for existing services. Candidates must have a master’s

degree in social work. www.va.gov/jobs/search/healthcare.htm

Liberal Art s

Government Careers for Social Science Majors

(Fedscope, September 2003)

H Did You Know…

The Federal Bureau of

Prisons employs over 350

doctoral-level

psychologists, making it

one of the largest

employers of psychologists

in the country.

OTHER

SOCIAL SCIENCE

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION & PROGRAM

BUDGET ANALYSIS

SOCIAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION

32.0%

30.8%

15.9%

13.8%

7.5%

Government and International Relations

For political science, public administration, public policy or international relations

majors, the federal government should be an obvious place to begin a job search.

Many policy analysts and foreign affairs specialists have contributed to the

development of key policies in every area of government. They have facilitated

diplomatic exchanges and promoted international understanding, security and

peace.

Agencies Employing Government and International Relations Majors

Department of Defense 15,143

Department of State 4,962

Department of Justice 4,370

Department of Veterans Affairs 1,978

National Archives and Records Administration 1,599

Department of Health and Human Services 1,551

Department of Agriculture 1,072

(Full-time permanent positions as of September 2003, Fedscope)

Matthew Shannon Stumpf has taken on the challenge of conducting diplomacy in support of

U.S. nuclear non-proliferation objectives in countries worldwide. As a Foreign Affairs Officer in

the State Department's Bureau of Non-Proliferation Office of Regional Affairs, Stumpf has

critical responsibilities. He has also served in the Bureau of Arms Control's Office of Strategic

Negotiations and Implementation, acting as a diplomat in support of the United States'

strategic nuclear arms agreements, including the Moscow Treaty and the Strategic Arms

Reduction Treaty (START).

Stumpf received his Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy

School of Government in June 2002, concentrating in international security and political

economy.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Matthew Stumpf

Foreign Affairs Officer, State Department

Bureau of Non-Proliferation, Office of Regional Affairs

“My colleagues and I

are living history, and

sometimes making a

tiny bit of it. Working

in government has

shown me that men

and women of good

will, dedication and

thoughtfulness can do

much to help shape a

safer, more secure and

more peaceful world.”

- Matthew Stumpf

H Did You Know…

The Central Intelligence

Agency offers salary

bonuses for employees

who, after being hired,

become proficient in

another foreign language.

Employees who learn

additional languages can

earn extra bonuses.

Liberal Art s

Government Careers for Government and International Relations Majors

(Fedscope, September 2003)

Internships

If you are in an advanced degree program focused on language or area studies, the Department of

State’s Fascell Fellowship Program will allow you to get an inside perspective on how the

government conducts its relations with other countries. Fellows work outside the United States in

support of a diplomatic or consular mission. You must be fluent in the language of the country for

which you would like to be considered. www.careers.state.gov/student/prog.html

Interns at the Department of Education can be involved in policy analysis, research, government

affairs or communications work. These internships afford many students the chance to gain a

deeper understanding of such topics as higher education, teacher development and drug-free schools

while simultaneously experiencing government operations first-hand.

www.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/index.html?exp=0

Careers

Political analysts at the Central Intelligence Agency evaluate the goals and motivations of foreign

governments and entities by examining the culture, resources and political processes in countries of

interest. Such positions usually require a master’s degree and fluency in a needed language.

www.cia.gov/employment

Intelligence specialists are vital to the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission to protect America’s coastlines

and waterways. Intelligence specialists analyze and evaluate large volumes of intelligence materials

and interpret the implications on foreign policy. Civilian positions at the Coast Guard number over

6,000 with more than 200 different types of jobs in over 100 locations across America.

www.uscg.mil/civilianjobs.htm

H Did You Know…

Foreign Service Officers

work at more than 250

missions and posts

worldwide, managing

diplomatic relations

between the United States

and other foreign

governments.

OTHER

ARCHIVES TECHNICIAN

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

INTELLIGENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCE

BUDGET ANALYS IS

8.1%

38.3%

18.1%

17.8%

13.8%

4.0%

FIND AND LAND A GOVERNMENT

INTERNSHIP OR JOB

Now that you’re more familiar with the opportunities that exist for you in the

federal government, the next step is to think about how to apply for those

internships and jobs. In this section we’ve provided a few pointers to get you

started, but more detailed information about where jobs are located and how to

market yourself in a job application is available in

Red, White and Blue Jobs:

Finding a Great Job in the Federal Government

, our primary job search resource.

This and other information about federal opportunities can be found in your career

services office or on our Web site, www

.calltoserve.org.

As you apply for jobs in the federal government, remember to highlight the skills

you’ve developed through your studies, especially your analytical and critical

thinking, research capabilities, writing ability, problem solving and

communications skills. A good way to package and present your strengths in these

areas is to think about the different class assignments, independent research projects

(such as a thesis or work for a professor), part-time jobs and even extracurricular

activities you were involved in during college.

Since Erin Gimbel started working at the U.S. Department of Education through the

Outstanding Scholars Program over two years ago, she has investigated complaints of

discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability. In her role as a

civil rights investigator in New York City, Gimbel is responsible for educational programs that

receive federal funding in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. She

recently completed a six-month Aspiring Leaders program, through which she received three

weeks of on-site training in three states and served a month-long detail in the Department of

Education's Office of the Secretary in Washington, D.C.

Gimbel graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers College with a B.A. in English and Art

History and is now working on her English master's degree part-time at Rutgers-Newark.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Erin Gimbel

Civil Rights Investigator

Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education

“I am so glad that I

decided to enter the

'real world' after

college as a federal

employee. In just two

years, I have had so

many interesting

experiences and

opportunities to learn,

all while helping to

serve the public. That

gives me a wonderful

feeling of

accomplishment.”

- Erin Gimbel

Liberal Art s

How to Apply for Your Dream Job

H Internship and volunteer experience matters. Figure out how best to capture these experiences

and skills in your résumé, letters and interviews.

H Think creatively. Want to be an accountant? A lawyer? Chances are, there’s a job for your

desired profession in several agencies and across the world – 84% of all federal jobs are located

outside of the Washington, D.C. area.

H Know who does the hiring. The government may be the largest single employer, but each

agency does its own hiring. The newly-updated USAJobs site (www.usajobs.opm.gov) provides

information on what opportunities are out there.

H Do your research on the different agencies, and then target your job search. Agencies in the

executive branch range in size from 100 staff to over 300,000, and each has its own mission and

locations. For more details about each agency, check their Web sites or the U.S. Government

Manual at www.gpoaccess.gov/gmanual/browse-gm-01.html.

H Schedule a meeting with your school’s career services office, and pay attention to agency

information sessions and job fairs – use these as opportunities to network.

H Keep a file with copies of all of your awards, transcripts, writing samples and a current résumé.

Being prepared will make the application process much easier.

H Sell yourself! The application process may appear daunting at first, but the agencies just want to

make sure they find the best people for the jobs. Use it as an opportunity to show the

government who you are and what you’ve got!

H Patience is a virtue, and no news may be good news. The federal application process typically

takes longer than the private sector, but this does not mean that you’re out of the running. Sit

tight and apply early.

H Follow up! If you need to make a decision but

haven't heard back, call the agency contact.

H Finally, be sure to print out a copy of Red, White

and Blue Jobs: Finding a Great Job in the Federal

Government for more detailed information and

pointers on applying for a federal internship or job.

Visit www.calltoserve.org to download and print free

copies.

H Did You Know…

Geologists at the United

States Geological Survey

trained the first astronauts

to land on the moon in

1969, preparing them for

the terrain they would

encounter.

www.calltoserve.org

Red White & Blue Jobs

finding a great job in the federal government

Sites That Can Help You Find

and Apply for a Federal Job

USA Jobs

www.usajobs.opm.gov

USA Jobs is the government’s official job posting site. Start your federal job search here!

H Matches your skills and interests to government careers and sends you regular email messages

when positions that meet your criteria are posted

H Allows you to create a résumé suitable for most federal job applications and stores it for applying

to multiple agencies

H Highlights hard–to–fill positions and lets you see which agencies have a large number of

openings

H Tracks the status of applications you submitted

Student Jobs

www.studentjobs.gov

H Serves as a one–stop shop for information on government agencies offering employment

opportunities for current students

H Offers a “résumé builder” that helps you create and store a resume for applying to federal jobs

H Provides links to agency home pages and student employment information pages

Monster Public Service

publicservice.monster.com/

H Offers tips on applying for federal jobs and internships, as well as profiles of public servants

H Allows users to search job openings by keyword, location and job category

H Offers a free weekly e–newsletter, “Monster Public Service News,” that contains updates on

federal openings, hints, tips on applying and more

As a policy analyst at the General Accounting Office, Joy Gambino analyzes federal higher

education and child welfare policies and prepares reports for Congress. She is currently

leading a study of the federal Child and Family Services Review process and recently managed

a national study of the child welfare workforce. With topics as varied as student loans and the

foster care system, Gambino is always learning about something new. She holds a bachelor

of arts degree from Northwestern University, where she majored in Political Science and

minored in Spanish language and culture, and a Master's in Public Policy from the

Georgetown Public Policy Institute, where she studied education reform.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Joy Gambino

Policy Analyst

General Accounting Office

“Each day, I apply

critical thinking skills

and synthesize

material from an array

of sources — much

like I did as a student.”

- Joy Gambino

H Did You Know…

Twenty-four percent of jobs

with NASA are not science-

related.

Liberal Art s

Find out what federal employees think are the best federal workplaces overall

and in specific categories like work-life balance, as well as the best

organizations according to young people and minorities. Visit

www.bestplacestowork.org for a comprehensive ranking of federal executive

branch organizations. The site is a joint effort of the Partnership and the

Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation and is based on a

survey of over 100,000 federal employees.

www.bestplacestowork.org

The Key to Finding the Right Internship:

Do Your Homework!

Like any workplace you might be considering, a trial run is the best way to find

out if the federal government is for you. But interning is not just a chance for you

to test-drive the job – the internship also gives the agency a chance to see if it

wants to offer you a full-time job when you graduate. In some programs, you can

even earn school credit while interning during the summer or the school year.

H Start with a general search to learn about the wide variety of opporunities:

• www.calltoserve.org

• www.studentjobs.gov

• www.students.gov

H Next, research the agencies whose missions interest you most – sometimes agencies only

publicize internships on their own Web sites.

H Check out the many organizations that help place students in federal internships and jobs. Visit

Red, White and Blue Jobs at www.calltoserve.org to learn more.

As the Senior Producer for Air Force Television at the Pentagon, John Primm created an MTV-

style “Stay in School; Don’t Do Drugs” music video that was distributed nationally by General

Colin Powell when he was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has also crafted

descriptions of scientific advances in non-lethal weapons technology for Congress and for

training senior military and political leaders to communicate with the press. Working in the

Pentagon as a civilian employee has allowed Primm the opportunity to be a part of and also to

document many of the major military and diplomatic events of the last 15 years.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

John Primm

Senior Producer

Air Force Television, Department of Defense

“Only as a civil servant

could I have had the

chance to work with so

many different kinds of

people in so many

different venues and

tell so many stories

about the great people

of this nation.”

- John Primm

Any Major

Environmental Protection

Specialists

Civil Rights Analysts

Administrative Officers

Management Analysts

Logistics Management

Specialists

Paralegal Specialists

Claims Examiners

Public Affairs

Writers and Editors

Internal Revenue Officers

General Investigators

Air Traffic Controllers

Program Analysts

Anthropology

Anthropologists

Museum Curators

Museum Specialists

Management Analysts

Archaeology

Archaeologists

Museum Curators

Museum Specialists

Architecture

Architects

Construction Analysts

Construction Control

Inspectors

Landscape Architects

Naval Architects

Arts, Fine and Applied

Arts Specialists

Audio-Visual Production

Specialists

Recreation and Creative Arts

Therapists

Exhibits Specialists

Illustrators

Photographers

Visual Information Specialists

Communications

Telecommunications Managers

Communications Specialists

Public Affairs Specialists

Technical Writers and Editors

Writers and Editors

Economics

Actuaries

Budget Analysts

Contract Specialists

Economists

Financial Analysts

Financial Institution Analysts

Loan Specialists

Trade Specialists

Education

Education and Training

Specialists

Vocational Training Specialists

Vocational Rehabilitation

Specialists

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Specialists

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Specialists

Public Health Educators

Training Instructors

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Specialists

English and Literature

Editorial Assistants

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Technical Writers and Editors

Writers and Editors

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Foreign Language

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Customs Inspectors

Language Specialists

Equal Employment

Opportunity Specialists

Foreign Affairs Specialists

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Specialists

Intelligence Specialists

Geography

Cartographers

Geographers

History

Archives Technicians

Archivists

Exhibits Specialists

Historians

Intelligence Specialists

Museum Curators

Management Analysts

International Relations

Foreign Affairs Specialists

Foreign Agricultural Affairs

Specialists

Intelligence Specialists

Language Specialists

Public Affairs Specialists

Trade Specialists

International Relations

Workers

Journalism

Journalists

Agricultural Market Reporters

Printing Specialists

Public Affairs Specialists

Writers and Editors

Technical Writers and Editors

Liberal Arts/Humanities

Contact Representatives

Customs Inspectors

Equal Opportunity Compliance

Specialists

Management Analysts

Social Insurance Claims

Examiners

Veterans Claims Examiners

Library Science

Librarians

Library Technicians

Medical Record Librarians

Technical Information Services

Political

Science/Government

Archivists

Budget Analysts

Historians

Foreign Affairs Specialists

Public Affairs Specialists

Social Scientists

Psychology

Recreational and Creative Arts

Therapists

Personnel Management

Specialists

Psychologists

Personnel Staffing Specialists

Position Classification

Specialists

Educational Services

Specialists

Public Administration

Budget Analysts

Employee Development

Specialists

Employee Relations Specialists

Management Analysts

Manpower Development

Specialists

Program Analysts

Public Utilities Specialists

GAO Evaluators

Public Relations

Contact Representatives

Foreign Affairs Specialists

Foreign Agricultural Affairs

Specialists

Public Affairs Specialists

Social Work

Food Assistance Program

Specialists

Social Science Aids and

Technicians

Social Scientists

Social Service Representatives

Social Workers

Recreation Specialists

Sociology

Social Science Aides and

Technicians

Social Scientists

Social Service Representatives

Sociologists

Religion/Theology

Chaplains

Social Workers

Liberal Arts Careers in the Government by Major

Liberal Art s

all to Serve has developed a collection of easy-to-use materials for job seekers and

career services offices about job opportunities in the federal government. Our

flagship handbook,

Red, White and Blue Jobs: Finding A Great Job in the Federal

Government

, will provide you with information about federal government employers as

well as the how and why to work for Uncle Sam. Download the entire

Red, White and

Blue Jobs

library and other resources, or order copies today at www.calltoserve.org.

$2.95

9 780972 936576

50295>

ISBN 0-9729365-7-2