Presidential Management Fellowship FAQ

Hello GSPIAns!  Last week was our Presidential Management Fellows Program Session!

The PMF program is a two-year federal fellowship that typically leads to full time employment with the federal government.

As graduate student applicants, GSPIAns are eligible to enter service as a GS-9, 11, or 12 pay-grade with an average salary range from $51,630-$97,333 AND promotional potential of the GS-13 level during fellowship.

Benefits:

• Rotational opportunities within and outside your agency placement
• Senior-level mentor
• 80+ hours of leadership training
• Eligibility for full-term, non-competitive appointment after the end of the fellowship.

Eligibility:

• Graduate students obtaining a degree anywhere from September 2014 – August 2015.

Application Process:

• Opens for a brief two week period during Fall 2014.

Consists of:

• Online application (average time of 3 hours)
• Resume
• Transcripts AND Verification (See Career Services soon)
• Online Assessment
• Three Essays

Competitive applicants should demonstrate:

• Adaptability
• Accountability
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Written and Oral Communication Skills
• Motivation to Serve

After you Apply:

• Bring your application verification screen shot or email to Shannon or Emmy to be entered into a drawing to win a gift card!

Visit the Presidential Management Fellows website to prepare for your application! Start gathering your information today, don't wait until last minute!

Happy Wednesday!

Rick's Blog: Post #4

Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014

Blog Post #4

While the primary aspect of the Washington DC Semester is the internship, there are two more aspects that deserve considerable attention.  The first are the networking opportunities, and the second are the courses taught during the semester. 

Besides the experience gained by interning at an organization in Washington, the ability to network with practitioners, academics, and other students is key.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a great many officials, practitioners, and fellow students with whom I hope to keep in touch in the future.  I’m not saying that the professors, classes, and students at GSPIA aren’t excellent, but it is important to expand one’s professional circle as wide as possible.

Sometimes it’s a bit daunting as to where to begin, but once you get the ball rolling, networking seems to come naturally.  There are a few keys here: 1) Start with people you do know or people you work with; 2) Expect that not every person you contact will respond; 3) Actually be interested in learning more about what those people do and how they got there. 

I think it’s important to get comfortable with networking by starting with people that you have some familiarity with beforehand. Once you get comfortable with the process, you will be better equipped to handle meeting people that you’ve only gained contact with through another contact, or through cold emailing.  This can be really helpful for dealing with times when you just don’t click with the person you meet with or speak to.  Be ready for the fact that when you reach out to people you aren’t already close to, a fair number of them will not get back to you.  When you finally do manage to get out there and network with new contacts, don’t be that guy or girl who comes across as only interested in how to get hired in that organization.  Instead, be actually interested in what that person does, what sort of skills or background are important in their job/office/field, what is new or developing in their field, and how that person got to where they are now.  Lastly, remember networking is a two way street: be prepared to share your own story, work, and interests in a way that relates to that person.

Since working and taking classes at the same time can be quite time-consuming, it is quite helpful that many of the courses here involve guest speakers and panels in a regular fashion.  While not a replacement for your own networking by any means, it sure helps to have access to practitioners and officials in this manner.

I found that the courses were well suited to the work/school dynamic of the Washington Semester.  The professors were all well aware that we were primarily engaged in work and professional activities, and conducted these courses accordingly.  Professors assigned work that was reasonable for our schedules and allowed for significant independent direction to address our diverse interests.

One last thing of note on courses: I am currently taking a class back at GSPIA while in Washington this semester.  I am able to do so by using the videoconference capabilities at the Pitt offices here in Washington and in Room 3431.  If you are considering the Washington Semester, but really want or need to take a particular course back at Pitt, it might be possible to make it happen!  I don’t think that my situation applies to the vast majority of courses, but it worked for me and for a few others in the past. If you are interested in taking a course back at Pitt during the Washington Semester, I suggest speaking to your career services advisor or to Jessica Hatherill about if it might work.  Just remember that the classes back at GSPIA will likely occur during your working hours!

Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014

Getting Here

Blog Post #2

(Early Morning outside Main State)

By the time this is posted the deadline for summer 2014 internship applications to the Department of State will be only a couple of weeks away. I was in the same position in which many of you are now: trying to get the application package put together while juggling school, work, extracurricular activities, family, and everything else.

While there is nothing that will get you the one of these coveted spots for certain, you can do a few things that, I think, will help you successfully navigate the process of applying for an internship with the Department of State.  Disclaimer: These are my personal views and do not represent the views of the Department of State or the University of Pittsburgh.

• Really research and target a particular office or bureau. Go through the state.gov website.  Read all the material published by the Department of State on their internship program.  Become familiar with the organizational chart of the state department and find an office that does the sorts of things you have experience with and like doing.  While I cannot say for certain what made my office pick me, I believe that specific, uncommon knowledge, skills, and abilities that I displayed in my resume and essay landed me in my particular office. When you do find an office or offices that fit your skills, experiences, and interests, be sure to check the internship guide to make sure those offices participate in the program.

• If you want to work at an embassy in a foreign country, then know the language. I can’t imagine a hiring manager selecting someone who doesn’t speak the local language over someone who can, or who can speak it with greater fluency.  Also, explore possibilities outside of major international destinations.  Speak French? Explore opportunities in Africa.

• Put the necessary amount of time and effort into crafting your application package.  Block off the time to sit down and write a great submission well ahead of the deadline.  It might sound obvious, but how often do we squeeze things in between the end of 3 PM class and dinner? Or between 2 other papers due by next Tuesday and that dinner party on Saturday night? [I’m guilty of squeezing this in this week between work, finishing several fellowship applications, finishing a presentation assignment, classes, and several networking engagements.] After you’ve completed your package, set it aside for a couple of days and then revise it.  Consider having someone else read it over and give comments to you before you make your final submission.  Really put the time and effort into making this the best application package possible.

• Be consistent.  You can apply for two different offices when you submit your materials.  However, you can (or at least was the case for me) submit only one essay. I cannot imagine that it will do your any favors to pick offices or bureaus with little in common, and then write a broad essay that does not directly address the specific skills relevant to the activities of those offices.  Pick offices that deal with closely related topics or use the same skill-sets.

• Be prepared to succeed.  You will need to undergo a security clearance investigation prior to receiving a final offer. Read up on official sources regarding the clearance process.  Don’t be overly scared by the process, but if you don’t think you will make it through at this point in your life, it may be worth it to explore other opportunities.  If you decide to go through with the process, make sure you have the necessary documents in order. It is probably wise to start gathering the information that you will need for an SF-86 as soon as you have the time.  Even if you don’t need this information for the State Department, I suspect many of you will be applying to other government positions that require background investigations.  Above all, answer your investigator openly and honestly.

• Remember that this is a numbers game. The State Department receives thousands upon thousands of applications for what are only a few hundred positions.  If a random drawing filled positions, then the odds of landing a spot would be heavily against any one of us.

• Be realistic.  Along with the numbers game, you are also up against some extremely stiff competition.  There are some really amazing interns here at the State Department. Many of them already have experience doing the things that their offices do.  Plenty of them come from institutions with brand-name titles.  I have met more than a few other interns whom have prior internship experience with the Department of State.  While every GSPIAn has a solid resume and experiences relevant to their degree program, at this stage of the game, so to speak, the bar has been raised.

• Have a backup plan.  I was in the same position that many of you will be in towards the end of next January: I found myself reading an email telling me I was an alternate selection.  The world did not end. I still went through my background check and received my security clearance just like the primary selections.  I never did get the hoped-for email telling me that the primary selection had fallen through.  I was, however, able to land another, albeit less prestigious, internship position with the State Department for the summer that I could do part-time from home via the internet.  This was great for me because it fit in with my schedule of researching for a professor at GSPIA while taking one class that fulfilled a minor requirement and a second class that strengthened an area of need in my academic portfolio.  Lots of people who don’t get in find extremely rewarding, career and skill enhancing internships outside of the Department of State.  Honestly, if you think you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities that the State Department will want as an intern, you will find many other doors open to you as well.

• Try again!  The State Department and many other organizations receive far fewer applications for the fall and spring intern cycles.  If you haven’t thought about doing the D.C. Semester, explore the opportunities available to you with the program.  I had always planned on doing the D.C. Semester while at GSPIA, so I polished up my essay and updated my resume and resubmitted my application package in the spring.  Remember, though, if you want to take part in the D.C. Semester program, you will have to fill out a separate application, as well as make sure that you are on target for meeting your graduation requirements.  Talk to your career and enrollment advisors if you have questions.  I’ve found each and every one of them to be extremely helpful with every question or concern I have raised.

I hope that my next post is a bit shorter and less preach-y.  Good luck applying!

Rick, MPIA-SIS, 2014

I’ve always had a passion for international affairs and related issues. My experiences domestically and abroad during my undergraduate business and postgraduate law degree put me on a path towards returning to school and earning an MPIA at GSPIA. I hope that after GSPIA I can transition to a career combining the aspects of my far-too-long-for-comfort educational history into a career as a Foreign Service Officer or in a foreign affairs-related career in the civil service.

For the fall semester I am interning with the United States Department of State in the Bureau of Administration while taking part in the Global Security & Development Program with other students from GSPIA, the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, and the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

Fair warning, I will not go into detail about my internship, the operation of the State Department, or myself for security reasons. In fact, during orientation on the first day we were read a rather incredible account of a previous intern and the security violations that ensued from improper disclosure of information on the intern’s personal blog. I must also disclaim that any views I present here are my personal views and do not represent the views or of policy of the Bureau of Administration, the Department of State, or the Government of the United States.

I know it sounds a bit overdramatic. I’m sure at least some of you are thinking “the Bureau of Administration? Who cares?” Well, it may not be the “sexiest” Bureau in the Department, but is definitely challenging, internationally focused work. In my office I am able to receive some level of exposure to a great swath of the State Department’s operations: In the morning the office might be on a call with the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, spend the afternoon working with a consulate in Saudi Arabia, and the next day we can be coordinating with DoD policy in Afghanistan. Dealing with so many issues in so many places really gives me a sense of satisfaction that I am contributing to the mission and operations of the Department of State domestically and around the world.

I hope my posts will help give you some idea of some of the opportunities available to GSPIA students in Washington D.C., dispense some useful advice, and perhaps open some eyes to other, potential, career avenues.

Justin Moore - Blog Post #2

Washington, D.C .

I’ve finally arrived in Washington, D.C. for the summer.  As corny as it sounds, it feels like a dream come true for someone who has studied political science throughout their academic career.  The city is busy all the time and feels alive; people are walking every where, the constant sound of vehicles, the heat.  Everything.  It is both exciting and intimidating to be here surrounded by so many important people and locations, but it feels like every step I have ever taken was leading me here.

Granted, this is only for the summer.  I am currently interning for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the first day was great.  The building is right off of the National Mall very close to the Washington Monument, so I definitely feel like I’m right in the thick of Washington, D.C.’s federal community.  While I’m sure I’ll be done a few different things with the EPA, my main task is to conduct research on corporate environmental sustainability initiatives, in particular the way in which sub-tier suppliers provide parts used in manufacturing.  However, as this is only my first week in D.C., things won’t be picking up in the office until next week.

In the meantime, I’m spending much of my time taking in the city.  It seems like there is an endless amount of things to do and see! I’m sure they will provide my roommates (both graduate students at GSPIA interning in D.C. this summer as well) and I with tons of things to experience.  This summer is going to be one busy, wild ride.