Student & Recent Graduates Opportunities

IBC has a wide variety of occupations and jobs, allowing for broad opportunities to utilize your competencies and skills. IBC offers the following three programs for current students and recent graduates.

Internship Program

The Internship Program provides students in high schools, colleges, trade schools and other qualifying educational institutions with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while completing their education.

Eligibility

• Current students in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.

Additional Details

• Internships are paid positions- the salary is listed within the job announcement.
• Interns may be hired on a temporary basis for up to one year for an initial period, or for an indefinite period to complete the educational requirement.
• Interns may work either part or full-time.
• Interns may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, to a term position lasting 1-4 years) within 120 days of successful completion of the program.
• Additional benefits are listed below.
• To search for current IBC internship positions, please see our IBC Opportunities page.

ASPIRE – Acquisition Sustainability Program: Investing, Rewarding, Excelling

ASPIRE is a hands-on and immersive internship program for current college students offering training and career development opportunities. During the program, interns will gain knowledge of the laws, regulations, policies and methods required to perform the full spectrum of purchasing and government contracting functions.

Eligibility

• Have at least two years of post-secondary education (e.g., at least 60 semester hours).
• Be currently enrolled in school pursuing the completion of a degree or certification.

Additional Details

• ASPIRE is a paid internship program that includes federal benefits and work schedule flexibilities.
• Upon completion of the ASPIRE program, interns may qualify for conversion to a permanent position.
• For any ASPIRE program questions or if you need application assistance, please contact AQDASPIRE@ibc.doi.gov

How to Apply

All candidates must apply on USAJOBS. The ASPIRE announcement for the Class of 2026 will be open from 08/16/2024 through 09/20/2024. 

Recent Graduates Program

The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the federal government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.

Eligibility

• Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution.
• Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.

Specialized Training and Development

• Orientation program for Recent Graduates.
• Mentorship throughout the program.
• Individual Development Plan to create and track Recent Graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities.
• At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program.

Additional Details

• Recent Graduate positions are paid positions- the salary is listed within the job announcement.
• After a typically one-year developmental program, Recent Graduates may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, a term appointment lasting 1-4 years).
• To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must have:
  • Successfully completed at least 1 year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program.
  • Demonstrated successful job performance.
  • Met the qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.
• Additional benefits are listed below.
• To search for current IBC Recent Graduate positions, please see our IBC Opportunities page.

Presidential Management Fellows Program

The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a flagship leadership development program at the entry-level for advanced degree candidates. Created more than three decades ago, the program attracts and selects from among the best candidates and is designed to develop a cadre of potential Federal Government leaders.

Eligibility

• Individuals who have completed within the past two years, a qualifying advanced degree (e.g., masters or professional degree) or who will meet advanced degree requirements by August 31 of the year following the annual application announcement.
• An individual may apply for the PMF Program more than once as long as he or she meets the eligibility criteria. However, if an individual becomes a Finalist and subsequently applies for the PMF Program during the next open announcement, the individual will forfeit his or her status as a Finalist.

Training and Development

• The PMF Program Office provides newly hired an Orientation and Training Program.
• Senior-level mentorship throughout the program.
• Individual Development Plan to create and track a PMF's career planning, professional development, and training activities.
• Developmental opportunities in the occupation or functional discipline the PMF would most likely be placed.
• At least 80 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program, for a total of 160 hours.
• PMFs are placed on a performance plan and must obtain a Successful rating each year.

Additional Details

• PMF positions are paid- the salary is listed within the job opportunity announcement.
• The PMF Program is centrally administered by the PMF Program Office within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
• OPM announces the opportunity to apply for the PMF Program (usually in the late summer or early fall) on the PMF and USAJOBS websites.
• Additional benefits are listed below.
• Applicants go through a rigorous assessment process to determine Finalists. 
• After successful Program completion and job performance, the PMF may be converted to a permanent position (or, in some limited circumstances, a term appointment lasting 1-4 years) in the competitive service.

Additional Benefits Available for the Various Programs

The table below lists some of the benefits available for the various programs:

Benefit	Internship Program	Recent Graduates Program	Presidential Management Fellows Program
Covered by FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System)	No	Yes***	Yes***
Eligible for promotion	Yes	Yes	Yes
Earn Sick Leave	Yes*	Yes	Yes
Earn Annual Leave (vacation)	Yes*	Yes	Yes
Eligible for Health Insurance	Yes** (Temporary appointments- No)	Yes**	Yes**
Eligible for Life Insurance	Yes** (Temporary appointments- No)	Yes**	Yes**

*If you are expected to work more than 90 days.

** As long as the employee is expected to be employed under this appointment for over 1 year and is expected to be in a pay status for at least 1/3 of the total period of time from the date of their initial appointment to the date of the completion of the Program.

*** As long as the appointment is for more than 1 year.