Students and Recent Graduates
USGS Pathways Programs
Internship ♦ Recent Graduates ♦ Presidential Management Fellows Program
USGS Pathways Programs
The Pathways Program offers current students and recent graduates paid internships and streamlined hiring programs to explore federal career opportunities. All Pathways opportunities are posted on USAJOBS. The Pathways Program consists of three excepted-service programs, the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. Learn more.
Current Internship and Recent Graduate Positions
Apply for Pathways Internship and Recent Graduate positions on USAJOBS, by selecting the student filter or recent graduate filter.
To learn about additional opportunities: Internship, Recent Graduate and Fellowship Opportunities
USGS Pathways Program, email: pathways@usgs.gov
Internship Program
The Pathways Internship Program offers paid internships for current students in high school, college, graduate programs, or qualifying career or technical education programs (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps).
Through this program, you gain valuable work experience and explore federal careers while still in school. Internships can be part-time or full-time and are aligned with your academic or career goals. Interns who successfully complete the program may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent or term appointment in the competitive service.
Who is Eligible?
To apply, you must be currently enrolled or accepted for at least part-time enrollment in an accredited educational institution. This includes high schools, colleges (4-year, community, or junior colleges), vocational, technical, and trade schools, advanced degree programs, or other qualifying institutions pursuing a relevant degree or certification. You may also be enrolled in a qualifying career or technical education program, such as Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps.
Program Details
The Internship Program offers two types of appointments:
Temporary Interns – Appointments are typically for one year or less to complete temporary or short-term projects.
Career Interns – Appointments are expected to last more than one year and may lead to permanent employment.
- Interns may work part-time or full-time.
- The appointment type will be specified in the job posting. Temporary internships may be summer-only or year-round, depending on student eligibility and needs of the office.
- Interns are required to sign a Participant Agreement outlining expectations for the internship.
For more information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center - Students.
How do I Apply?
All Pathways Internship opportunities are posted on USAJOBS. USGS posts internship opportunities year-round, with summer internships typically posted in December - February.
Find current internship positions open to students on USAJOBS - Search.
Don’t see any current openings? Save your search to get notified of future job opportunities!
Watch: USAJOBS Update: Save Your Search (YouTube).
For Hiring Managers:
For resources on advertising positions through the Pathways Program, visit the Human Capital SharePoint site. It includes information and your servicing Human Resources Office (SHRO) point of contact, accessible through @theCore A-Z index.
Recent Graduates Program
The Recent Graduate Program promotes careers in civil service for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs by providing one-year paid developmental opportunities in federal agencies. Applicants must have graduated from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program within the previous two years. (Veterans unable to apply due to service obligations have up to six years after degree completion to apply.) Recent graduates who successfully complete the program may be noncompetitively converted to a permanent or term appointment in the competitive service.
Who is Eligible?
You must have graduated within the last two years from a qualifying associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate educational program. Additionally, eligibility has expanded to include individuals who have completed a qualifying career or technical education program (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps). Veterans who are unable to apply within two years due to service obligations have up to six years after degree completion to apply.
Program Details
- Recent graduates hired through the program are assigned a mentor.
- Recent graduates will be required to sign a Participant Agreement that outlines the expectations for the program and roles and responsibilities.
- Recent graduates, in coordination with their supervisors, develop a training plan (Individual Development Plan) that outlines the position-specific training needed to ensure career development and preparation.
- Participants must complete at least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program.
- The program is designed to provide pathways for career growth within federal service and offers opportunities for career advancement.
For more information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center - Recent graduates.
How do I Apply?
All Pathways Recent Graduate opportunities are posted on USAJOBS. USGS posts opportunities year-round.
Find current Recent Graduate opportunities open on USAJOBS - Search.
Don’t see any current openings? Save your search to get notified of future job opportunities!
Watch: USAJOBS Update: Save Your Search (YouTube).
For Hiring Managers:
For resources on advertising positions through the Pathways Program, visit the Human Capital SharePoint site. It includes information and your servicing Human Resources Office (SHRO) point of contact, accessible through @theCore A-Z index.
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a flagship leadership development program for advanced degree candidate and is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Each year, candidates apply to the program in efforts to be selected as Finalists. Finalists are then eligible to apply and be appointed as Presidential Management Fellows (Fellows; PMFs) at participating Federal agency.
The PMF program offers employment opportunities for individuals who have received a qualifying masters, doctorate or professional degree within the last two years. For more information on how to apply and program details, visit the PMF website at www.pmf.gov
For Current PMF Finalists
If you are a current PMF finalist, all PMF opportunities are posted on the PMF Talent Management Portal.
For Hiring Managers
If you are a hiring manager interested in advertising a PMF opportunity or hosting a developmental opportunity for a current fellow, visit the Human Capital SharePoint site for details and to find your servicing Human Resources Office (SHRO) contact through the @theCore A-Z index.
Other Resources
- Employee and Information Center
- Internship, Recent Graduate and Fellowship Opportunities
- USGS Orientation Program
- USGS Career Cards
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