Federal Service Student Ambassadors

As a Federal Service Student Ambassador you will increase awareness of federal jobs and internships on your college campus. The federal government needs to fill 193,000 mission critical jobs in the next two years alone and you can help to fill this gap.

Following your summer internship at a federal agency, you will lead major outreach efforts to your campus community during the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters. You will raise awareness of the incredible opportunities and benefits of federal service through planning events, meeting with key faculty and staff members, and spreading the word about public service. Further, you will stay connected to fellow Ambassadors to share resources, best practices and recommendations.

Program Benefits

Are you looking for that experience to add to your resume that will really set you apart from other applicants? This opportunity might just be what you are looking for. You will be leading a major outreach effort on your campus, meeting with faculty and staff at your university, writing articles for newspapers and magazines, all of which take dedication, interpersonal and written communication skills, and excellent time management.

Not only will you receive all this experience, but you will also receive a great deal of support to help you develop those skills. You will attend a dynamic training in July in Washington, D.C. with nine other Ambassadors from universities across the country. You will receive regular feedback and assistance from staff members in Washington, D.C. as well as from your school and your fellow Ambassadors. You will also receive a $2,200 stipend for your service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What, exactly, is a federal agency?
For the purposes of this program, we are considering internships in the executive branch as well as internships with the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service. A list of executive branch departments and agencies is located here: http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/Executive.shtml.

I am a graduate student. Am I eligible to be a Federal Service Student Ambassador?
Yes. Both undergraduate and graduate students (including graduate students obtaining a JD or an MBA) are eligible to be an Ambassador. Any student who is returning for another full academic year on their campus after Summer 2008 is eligible to apply. Just think carefully about whether you will have the time and energy to devote to the effort — we estimate Ambassadors will work approximately 10 hours per week on this effort, but this will obviously change from week to week based on various factors.

I do not yet have an internship in a federal agency this summer. Am I eligible to apply?
No. You must have an offer for an internship in a federal agency to be eligible to apply. However, if you are applying to internships or student programs in a federal agency this summer and are waiting to receive an offer, we do encourage you to apply once you have secured your position.

I work for a member of Congress or a political campaign. Am I eligible?
No. Unfortunately, these summer experiences do not count as working for a “federal agency.” We are only considering internships in the executive branch (for example, internships at the Department of Energy, the FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency, etc.). These agencies are especially in need of talent- around one-third of the full-time permanent workforce will be eligible to retire in the next five years- that's around 500,000 jobs! This is why our focus will be on the executive branch. A list of executive branch agencies is located here: http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/Executive.shtml

I will not be interning in Washington, D.C. this summer. Can I still apply to be an Ambassador?
No. We are only able to accept applications from students who will be interning in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2008. We will be training Ambassadors in Washington, DC on July 22-23, 2008 and, unfortunately, do not have the funds to pay for travel costs associated with brining Ambassadors to Washington, D.C. for this training.

I will be interning in the D.C. Metro Area but not specifically in DC. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. If you will be working in the D.C. Metro Area (for example, Arlington, VA or Silver Spring, MD), you are eligible to apply to be an Ambassador. Ask your supervisor at your agency if you are within commuting distance to D.C. or check on a map to see if your office is close to a Metro station. We will be training Ambassadors in Washington, D.C. on July 22-23, 2008.

How much of a time commitment is this program?
We are estimating that Ambassadors will spend approximately 10 hours per week on this initiative. We understand that sometimes Ambassadors will spend less time, for instance, during finals or mid-terms. We also expect that some weeks Ambassadors will spend more than 10 hours, for instance, when they are planning for and coordinating an event on campus.

When should I submit my application?
Soon! Applications are being reviewed as they are received. The last day applications will be accepted is Monday, June 16, 2008 — NO exceptions.

When will I find out if I am an Ambassador?
As soon as you submit your complete application package, you will receive an email confirming that your materials have been received. If your materials indicate that you will be a good candidate, you will be contacted for additional information (including names and contact information for references, an unofficial transcript, etc.).

Finalists will be interviewed and we will also speak with references before making a final selection. All Ambassadors will hear of their selection before July 14, 2008.

 

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