President Obama has signed an executive order to establish internship and recent graduates programs that together with the already existing Presidential Management Fellows Program will make up a new Pathways Program.
The order directs OPM to issue regulations implementing the Pathways Program to ensure that managers meaningfully assess participants’ performance when considering whether to convert them to full time employees, and it calls on OPM to ensure the Pathways efforts do not supplant the competitive hiring process.
The Internship Program is meant to provide students in high schools, community colleges, four-year colleges, trade schools, etc., with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while still in school.
The Internship Program replaces the existing Student Career Experience Program.
The Recent Graduates Program is meant to provide recent graduates from qualifying institutions or programs with experiences in the federal government with the intention to get some to stay long-term.
Participants must have obtained a qualifying degree, or completed a qualifying career or technical education program, as determined by OPM, within the preceding two years, with certain exceptions for veterans.
These recent graduates will be given responsibilities consistent with their qualifications, educational background, and career interests and agency needs and the intent of the program, according to the order.
