On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, Florida International University (FIU) held their 13th Annual Federal Government Statewide Conference. The event focused on exploring the employment opportunities for students and recent graduates within the federal government agencies. Here, I’ll provide a brief overview of the conference proceedings and useful information for those looking for government employment.
The conference opened with remarks from FIU’s Director of Career and Talent Development, Ivette Duarte, and Assistant Vice President for Academic and Career Success, Dr. Charlie Andrews. The introductions were followed by a presentation from Carmen Pino, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Pino explained the origins and various responsibilities of the department, including oversight of the illegal activity of human trafficking. Human trafficking can include labor trafficking for tourism, such as in the hotel industry, agriculture, with migrant workers, and sex trafficking. Mr. Pino also discussed the department’s need for employees in the fields of statistics, psychology, criminal justice, and computer science, including positions that work with other countries to help them attain status as a country that has reduced their human trafficking issues.
Kimberly Castillo, an FIU alumnus and recruiter for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) then presented on the federal application process through the website usajobs.gov. This site provides employment opportunities with the federal government. Ms. Castillo also highlighted several other job sites and programs focused towards current students, recent graduates, and veterans, including:
- the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
- the e-Intern program of Virtual Student Federal Service
- the Pathways Internship Program
- the United States Intelligence Community
- the United States Department of State
- the Central Intelligence Agency
The takeaway message from the conference is that the federal government is always hiring for talented individuals across a multitude of fields, including all of the degree offerings here at Albizu University. If you are interested in obtaining an internship or job with the federal government, I urge you to check out the links above and reach out to AU’s Academic Success and Career Services Department to make a career services appointment for help with your application materials and process.
