Pathways Recent Graduates Program FAQs

1. What is a qualifying educational institution for the Recent Graduates Program?

2. Does Veteran's Preference apply in the selection process for students?

3. Can Recent Graduate employees receive pay increases?

4. Can Recent Graduate employees be promoted?

5. Are Recent Graduate employees eligible for annual and sick leave?

6. Are Recent Graduate employees eligible for health and life insurance benefits?

7. Where can I find out about Recent Graduates positions?

8. Why is it so great to work for USGS?

1. What is a qualifying educational institution for the Recent Graduates Program?

Recent Graduates who have completed within the previous two years (with exceptions for certain veterans and individuals graduating after December 27, 2010 to July 10,2012) from a qualifying educational institutions/programs that include any accredited technical or vocational school, 2- or 4-year college or university, a graduate or professional school, or a post-secondary certificate program institution equivalent to at least 1 academic year of full-time study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.

Applicants may refer to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institutional Accreditation System to determine whether their school/program is accredited.

Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If you received a degree abroad, contact the agency to which you are applying for guidance regarding having your degree reviewed by a U.S. based credential evaluation service.

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2. Does Veteran's Preference apply in the selection process for students?

Yes. Please see Veterans Preference for further information.

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3. Can Recent Graduate employees receive pay increases?

Yes. If Federal employees receive any annual pay increase, effective in January, all recent graduate employees would receive this increase. Recent Graduates are also eligible for what is referred to as within grade increases.

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4. Can Recent Graduate employees be promoted?

Yes. A General Schedule (GS: white collar occupations) employee is entitled to an increase in pay of at least two steps (about 6 percent) upon placement in a higher graded position without a break in service. A Wage Grade (WG: blue collar occupations) employee is entitled to an increase in pay of at least one step (about 4 percent). Please see the U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Information on Federal Pay for further information.

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5. Are Recent Graduate employees eligible for annual and sick leave?

Appointees earn annual and sick leave.

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6. Are Recent Graduate employees eligible for health and life insurance benefits?

Yes. Newly employed Recent Graduates are eligible for health, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Please see the list of benefits (PDF) for further information.

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7. Where can I find out about Recent Graduates positions?

Visit USAJOBS to view available Recent Graduate opportunities with USGS and other agencies.

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8. Why is it so great to work for USGS?

From the peaks of the highest mountains to the depths of the deepest seas, the U.S. Geological Survey has career opportunities that make a difference in both the lives of others and in the environment. The USGS has more than 10,000 scientists, technicians, and support staff of the USGS who are working in more than 400 locations throughout the United States. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The diversity of our scientific expertise enables us to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial, timely, and relevant scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers related to: the health of our ecosystems and environment; natural hazards that threaten us; natural resources we rely on, and; the impact of climate and land-use changes. For more information about the USGS please visit http://www.usgs.gov.

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