Partnership for Public Service releases the first of its kind Federal Internship Finder 

September 21, 2023

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service released today the Federal Internship Finder, a new tool allowing users to view federal government internship opportunities in one place. This resource will save time and effort for future public servants who are looking for the right opportunity to start their career of service. 

“It is past time to implement reforms that make it easier for the next generation of Americans to serve the public and enter government,” said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “Building a better government and a stronger democracy begins with a talented, diverse federal workforce. This tool will improve access to internship opportunities for new and returning young talent searching for roles that align with their expertise.” 

Today, just 7 percent of permanent full-time federal employees are younger than 30 compared with 20 percent in the broader labor market. Meanwhile, 31 percent of all government employees are eligible to retire by 2025. Just this year, the Office of Personnel Management proposed updates to regulations that govern the federal government’s Pathways Programs, aiming to make it easier for agencies to convert interns to full time staffers.  

The Partnership inventoried the federal government to create this index, which includes both professional opportunities for students and recent graduates, as well as government-sponsored academic opportunities. 

“It is important to give the larger landscape to students so that they are prepared and having access to website links in one place is invaluable,” said Elizabeth Choe, Program Director and Director of Undergraduate Career Services, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. “This will allow students to do as much research in advance of their application while also discovering new opportunities they might be interested in and weren’t aware of.” 

“I spent too many hours during my undergraduate career searching for the right opportunity to begin my career as a civil servant. I knew I wanted to work in public service but found myself searching for government internships more often than applying to them.” said Paul Backo, a recent graduate of the Ohio State University now working at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Now students don’t need luck to find an opening, they have a reliable resource to utilize.” 

The Federal Internship Finder is the latest addition to the Partnership’s GoGovernment.org website, which includes resources about writing a federal resume, career guides for federal jobs, resources for veterans interested in federal employment, and much more that aim to create a path for the next generation into public service careers. 

Max Stier, Elizabeth Choe and Paul Backo are available to discuss the challenges of finding and applying for federal internships. 

During the past 22 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees. Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.  

Learn more from the Partnership’s recommendations on how agencies can tangibly strengthen early career talent pipelines.

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