Federal career day links agencies, students, jobs
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Michael Miller is preparing for his graduation at the end of this quarter. At the Federal Career Day on Wednesday, he looked at federal agencies that could give him a future. “I looked at a few,” said Miller, a senior in economics. “I have not seriously considered any until today, though. But anything that gets us in touch with an agency is a good opportunity.” Ohio State received funding from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal host to Career Day. The event attracted more than 50 agencies, and more than a circled students in 1500, said David Herman, program manager of the OPM. “Today’s event expressed a growing need to hire a new generation of federal employees,” he said. “Over the next 10 years, there are roughly a million federal employees eligible to retire. “We decided that career sponsoring events is a good way for federal agencies to compete for and … recruit talented people,” said Herman. “Students do not know much about federal employment, but the more they find out, the more they like what they hear.” Recruiters help prepare students for federal job positions by offering internships. “Ive been looking for an internship,” said Andy Schreiber, a junior in economics and political science. “It’s kind of … a unique opportunity to get to talk to all these people in one place.” Meredith Lammers, a graduate student in law, is also looking for an internship to complement her education. “I want to work in international adoption,” she said. “I am looking at citizenship and immigration services to maybe get an internship. It’s good to get in your resume.” Herman encourages the push for internships. “If they get an internship and do well, [the agencies] can offer a full-time job without competition,” said Herman. That is why the federal agencies wish to talk directly to students and build long-term relationships between the agencies and the university, he said. Some students, such as friends and Eric Gradert Chris Jarc, participated in the Federal Career Day for the more experience than the opportunities. “I am just here to get used to talking to people,” said Gradert a sophomore in construction systems. “Yeah, It’s more for a dry run experience,” said Jarc, a junior in the construction of systems. The two are also excited about internship opportunities. “That’s money right there! Hooray!” Here Jarc said. |