Government
About the Government Industry
Did you know as of 2023, according to Partnership for Public Service, that less than 7% of all permanent, full-time federal employees are under the age of 30, compared to more than 19.7% of all private sector employees?
One of the many benefits of federal service is the ability to make an impact through mission-driven work. Many students believe they need a political science degree or specific academic background to work in government, but that is not the case. With work available across all fields, students from any academic or professional background can find meaningful work in government.
Featured Resources
USA Jobs
Current Positions Available
GoGovernment.org
Career Guides
GoGovernment.org
Federal Resume Guide
Common Career Paths
There are a large number of options when considering potential career paths in government. From the federal level, working in one of the three branches of government, to working at the local level working in city government, public employment takes many forms. Below are among the more popular directions.
- Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Services
- Public policy
- City or town management
- Intelligence
- International affairs
- Law enforcement
- Program administration
Types of Employers
There are a wide variety of employers within the government along with different non-profits and education systems.
- Federal departments and agencies (over 170!)
- States/cities/counties
- Nonprofit agencies or foundations
- Court systems
- School systems
Federal Hiring Timeline
The timeline for hiring for a position at the federal level is different than for many positions in the private sector. Be mindful of these differences when looking to apply for a position in the federal government.
- The federal internship and job hiring process is typically longer than for other positions, taking an average of 100 days to complete
- Many federal positions close before the posted closing date on USAJOBS.gov, so make sure to submit your application early
- Applications usually include an online application through USAJOBS.gov, application review by the HR team, interviews, and background check process
- If you haven’t received an update about your submitted application after 4 weeks, you can reach out to the point of contact listed on the job description to follow up on your application status
- Visit GoGovernment.org for more information about the federal hiring process:
Federal Resume Tips and Resources
- For federal positions, your resume is your application
- Federal resumes are longer than standard resumes, typically multiple pages
- Include all previous experience and skills and be as detailed and comprehensive as possible
- Use language from the job description to show your qualifications
Where to find government jobs and internships
Additional Career Resources and Guides
National Environmental Education Foundation
Go Government Career Guides
DOD Civilian Careers
Student Clubs & Organizations
- Creighton Students Union
- College of Arts and Sciences Student Senate
- Heider Business Senate
- Inter Residence Hall Government
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Student Chapter
- Model United Nations Club
Hiration Resources
Hiration Interview Practice is an AI-powered interview preparation platform designed to help students build confidence through realistic, mock interviews. Students can practice interviews tailored to specific job roles or resumes, receive instant AI feedback and improve across key areas such as communication, structure and content.
