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OPM.gov / Internships / Current Interns

Current Interns

Welcome to the Federal government!

We are excited to help you begin your public-service journey. Our mission is to serve the American people, and as a Federal intern, you are an essential part of that mission. Your dedication and hard work will help to ensure that our government is able to provide critical services, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, and promote the health and wellbeing of our nation.

Whether you work in policy, administration, technology, or any other area of government, your contributions are important and valued. Public service is a noble calling, and we are glad to have you join us in this vital work.

To help you thrive in your new role, we have filled this page with resources and tools we think you will find useful as a new government employee. Access meaningful training programs, learn more about our mentoring and coaching, register for fun events, and explore other developmental opportunities available to you as a Federal intern.

Intern-ally Speaking is your new favorite newsletter and #1 source for trusted information! To sign up, select ‘Intern’ in the Available List drop-down.

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Summer 2023 Events

June

6/6 Intern Experience Program Launch (Recorded)

Ready to launch your Federal career with an out of this world experience? Join us on Tuesday, June 6th, for a special visit from NASA Astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Astronaut Koichi Wakata fresh from their recent mission to the International Space Station. The crew members, who flew to space as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5, will share their reflections, experiences, and advice to the next generation of talent.

6/13 Training: Problem Definition 3:00 – 4:00 PM ET

Join Beth Simone Noveck, Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change, in this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn how to narrow down tough problems through creating a hypothesis and defining the root causes. Participants will walk away with tools for clearly articulating and reframing the problems and root causes of projects that they are working on.

6/20 Rethinking Imposter Syndrome 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

Why Capable People Feel Like Impostors and What to Do About It

  • Do you chalk your success up to luck, timing, or computer error?
  • Do you agonize over even the smallest flaws in your work?
  • Are you crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your ineptness?
  • When you do succeed, do you think “I fooled them again!”?

Millions of people — CEOs and entry-level professionals, first year college students and PhDs, artists and programmers — secretly worry they’re not as smart or talented or qualified as other people “think” they are. It’s called impostor syndrome. Left unchecked, it can lead to costly consequences not only for individuals but for their organizations as well.
In this surprisingly upbeat session you’ll discover what impostor syndrome is and whose most susceptible. As importantly, you’ll walk away with practical, immediately usable tools and strategies to help yourself and/or the people you lead, manage, mentor, or parent.

6/22 Aspiring SES 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET

As an intern, aspiring to become a member of the Senior Executive Service may be in your long-term career goals. This webinar will familiarize you with the SES hiring process, help you understand the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and how they apply to SES hiring, give you strategies for writing strong ECQ narratives and resumes, and guide you to drafting a personal action plan to prepare for becoming a member of the SES.

6/27 Training: Equitable Engagement 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET

Join Sofía Bosch Gómez, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change, for this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn about processes and tools that allow us to better tap the collective wisdom of our communities in defining our problems and devising innovative solutions. Participants will discuss innovative engagement tools, and understand key considerations for collaborating in effective and equitable ways.

6/29 Executive Speaker Series 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET

The executive speaker series aims to provide interns with valuable career insights, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking discussions from renowned leaders across the Federal government. Hear from Noreen Hecmanczuk, Digital Experience Advisor to the Federal Chief Information Officer for a candid conversation that you don’t want to miss!

July

7/13 Resiliency Workshop Session One 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET 

Join us for the first session in a two-part workshop series on building resilience. Knowing yourself is the first step towards building resilience. This first workshop is about leveraging your strengths and finding a purpose. The facilitator will discuss research on these topics, their associated best practices, and how to put new behaviors into practice. Be sure to sign up and complete the Values in Action (VIA) - Survey of Character Strengths - the VIA survey is in the third row of the second section “Engagement Questionnaires”. Make sure to print or save your report at the end of the survey for this week’s session.  

7/18 Training: Writing the Killer Memo - 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET 

Join an InnovateUS faculty member in this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn about strategies for persuasive memo writing. To implement your projects, you will need to persuade people at every step of the process. Memos can help pitch your projects to participants, funders, and managers. Participants will walk away with practical tips for how to improve their writing and will learn how to write the killer memo to advance their work.

7/20 Resiliency Workshop Session Two 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET 

Join us for the second session in a two-part workshop series on building resilience. Learn about the importance of goals and connections. In this session, we will discuss how goal setting builds resilience by giving a sense of direction, enhancing self-confidence, promoting a higher probability of goal attainment, and a sense of vitality. Further, the workshop will present how social connections help to manage stress and overcome adversity. The facilitator will share research and best practices on these two topics and how they can specifically relate to early career experience.

7/25 Training: Resume Writing and How to Apply – 3:00 PM ET

Job seekers will be able to apply for positions using a resume and an optional cover letter.  This information session will provide participants with information on how best to write a resume that highlights strengths, accomplishments, and results.  You will learn what information to include on your resume, tips to market yourself how to describe your experience. Participants will leave this session armed with information to craft an effective resume.

7/26 National Intern Day: Executive Speaker Series with Secretary Buttigieg  – 3:30-4:30 PM ET

In honor of National Intern Day, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will join a moderated Q&A discussion with Federal interns. Learn about the Secretary's personal and professional journeys; working to build a world-leading transportation system, with a focus on safety, jobs, equity, climate, innovation, and organizational excellence.

August

8/1 Executive Speaker Series with Secretary Cardona – 2:00-3:00 PM ET

The executive speaker series aims to provide interns with valuable career insights, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking discussions from renowned leaders across the Federal government. Join us in person or virtually to hear from Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education, who will describe his background, career journey, reflections on his current job, and take audience Q&A.

8/3 Personal Narrative – 2:00-3:30 PM ET

As public servants, being able to tell your individual story and our collective story is one the most essential tools you'll need in order to be effective. This workshop will help you unlock the tools to better tell your personal story in a way that inspires and drives action for the public good.

8/10 New Hire Panel – 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Join us for an engaging and informative New Hire Panel. Hear recently hired federal employees who started out as interns and made the decision to join the Federal government. Ask questions and learn from their experiences.

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