Washington - Linda M. Springer, Director of the United States Office of Personnel Management, used a recent OPM-sponsored job fair at George Mason University to highlight the need to attract and recruit college students to careers in the federal government.

"In the federal government we have a tsunami coming that I call the retirement wave" said Springer. "It's very important for us to have a strong flow of new people into the federal government, to give them the opportunity to work with our very knowledgeable existing force, to have that knowledge transfer."

Dr. Alan Merten, president of George Mason University, and Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA-11), joined Springer in kicking off the event. Representatives from federal agencies met with job hopefuls to discuss careers in their specific agencies and the most effective ways to navigate the federal government application process.

"All of our efforts are to recruit and retain the best and brightest - this is something that has been late in coming to the federal government," said Davis. "I can tell you that I and my committee, both Republican and Democrat, are committed to getting both the best and brightest into the federal government and to give them a career path that keeps them happy, that keeps them working and productive through their time. An outstanding resource is the OPM USAJOBS Website."

The job fair focused on two of the Federal government's mission-critical occupations, engineering and information technology. Attendees participated in interviews, accessed USAJOBS.gov via an Internet lounge, and attended seminars, workshops, and other activities.

"We need intelligence and creativity and diversity," Springer directed toward students. "If you have the skills, along with a desire to serve your country, we want you - we need you."

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.