Careers in Government

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in government? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user MCS@flickr

Does the government fascinate you? If you haven’t thought about a career in government, maybe you should.

A career in government doesn’t necessarily mean working for the federal government, although that is a possibility. You can also work for your state or local government, for a government contractor, or with an organization that aims to improve government in some way.

You can work in just about any area you can think of, using almost any of the skills you’ve already acquired. To name a few areas, using the federal government as an example:

Math: United States Census Bureau, National Security Agency
Science: NASA, CDC
Literature: National Archives, Library of Congress
Foreign Languages: CIA, Department of State
Engineering: Government contracting, Department of Energy
Finance: IRS, Federal Reserve

Chances are you can find something that aligns to your interests. The application and interview process are long and challenging, and you’ll need a bachelor’s degree for many government positions. If you plan on working for the federal government you may also need to qualify for a security clearance.

Displaying 1-10 of 10,636 results.

S&W Rapid Deployment FSR with Security Clearance ManTech International Sterling, VA	View
Senior Inpatient Facility Coder Remote Banner Health Herndon, VA	View
Network Installer - Developmental (Government) with Security Clearance At&t Chantilly, VA	View
Historic/Cultural Resources Specialist with Security Clearance LMI Government Consulting (Logistics Management Institute) Tysons, VA	View
COS Deputy Program Lead with Security Clearance ManTech International Sterling, VA	View
Knowledge Manager with Security Clearance SRG Government Services Reston, VA	View
Senior Executive Assistant (TS/SCI)- DODF5 with Security Clearance Avantus Federal Chantilly, VA	View
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analyst with Security Clearance LMI Government Consulting (Logistics Management Institute) Tysons, VA	View
Systems Integrator (Full Performance) with Security Clearance BAE Systems Reston, VA	View
Mid-Underground Facility Analyst with Security Clearance BAE Systems Reston, VA	View

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Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Government

FierceMarkets - FierceMarkets is a Washington, DC based company that specializes in business-to-business media, publications, and marketing.

See the complete FierceMarkets profile

City Hall Fellows - City Hall Fellows is a San Francisco, CA based non-profit that engages “diverse, talented young people in the work of cities.”

See the complete City Hall Fellows profile

U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress - The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress is a Washington, DC based non-profit that puts former members of Congress to work on important causes.

See the complete U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress profile

Council of State Governments - Council of State Governments is a non-profit organizations that brings state governments together to learn from each other, and they're hiring.

See the complete Council of State Governments profile

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency - Fascinated by geography and navigation? A career with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency might be just what you're looking for.

See the complete National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency profile

International Foundation for Electoral Systems - If you’re interested in the work that IFES is doing to promote democracy, then you need to check out their Career opportunities.

See the complete International Foundation for Electoral Systems profile

Central Intelligence Agency - Today is a good day to be an American and a good day to think about career opportunities with the CIA that will allow you to serve your country.

See the complete Central Intelligence Agency profile

U.S. Agency for International Development - There is tons of information on the USAID website, so if you’re considering a career with them, spend a good amount of time learning about the agency.

See the complete U.S. Agency for International Development profile

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is "the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics."

See the complete U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics profile

National League of Cities - Right now the National League of Cities has a few jobs posted including Sustainability Fellow and Member Relations Representative.

See the complete National League of Cities profile

Hyland Software - If you take a look at Hyland Software’s Job openings, you’ll see a number of opportunities that are appropriate for someone at the entry level.

See the complete Hyland Software profile

MITRE - MITRE, headquartered in headquarters in Bedford, MA and McLean, VA, is an “organization chartered to work in the public interest” & they're hiring!

See the complete MITRE profile

California Conservation Corps - The CCC is a government run program that “matches up California’s young people and its natural resources.” Every year they hire 3,300 corpsmembers.

See the complete California Conservation Corps profile

U.S. Department of Labor - If you're fascinated by employment and labor issues, then maybe you’ll want to check out jobs with the U.S. Department of Labor.

See the complete U.S. Department of Labor profile

National Archives - You can start learning about what it’s like to work at the National Archives by visiting their Careers page, and then you can check out their job listings.

See the complete National Archives profile

National Park Service - If you love Memorial Day as much as I do, then a job with the National Park Service might be something worth thinking about.

See the complete National Park Service profile

Bureau of Engraving and Printing - If you don't believe the saying that "money can't make you happy," then you might be well suited for a job with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

See the complete Bureau of Engraving and Printing profile

NOAA - Right now NOAA has 63 jobs posted in fields ranging from Computer Science to Fisheries Biology and from Program Specialist to Service Hydrologist.

See the complete NOAA profile

United States Secret Service - The Secret Service took on protection of the President in 1902. The Protection Mission has grown quite a bit since, so it’s no big surprise that they're hiring.

See the complete United States Secret Service profile

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency - The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has become much busier recently, so now is a great time to check out their entry level hiring program.

See the complete Office of the Comptroller of the Currency profile

Department of Veterans Affairs - Finding jobs with the Federal Government can be tough, but we’ll guide you through the process of finding opportunities with the Department of Veterans\' Affairs

See the complete Department of Veterans Affairs profile

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - The museum is currently offering 2 jobs in the realm of entry-level—an Assistant Conservator and a Silberman Foundation ITS Research Scholar position.

See the complete United States Holocaust Memorial Museum profile

Federal Reserve Board - Based in Washington, D.C., the Federal Reserve Board oversees the 12 District Reserve Banks and would be a great if you'd like a career in the financial sector.

See the complete Federal Reserve Board profile

NASA - Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NASA would be a great place to start a career if you're interested in aerospace (or have always wanted to be an astronaut).

See the complete NASA profile

NORAD - NORAD's headquarters are built into Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado in a way that makes it indestructible, which comes with the aerospace defense territory.

See the complete NORAD profile

US Forest Service - We're leaving the research to you because the United States Forest Service has way too many entry-level openings all over the U.S. for us to list.

See the complete US Forest Service profile

Federal Reserve Bank of New York - If you're drawn to finance by a love of economics, but fear the investment banking lifestyle, take a look Federal Reserve Bank of New York's job opportunities.

See the complete Federal Reserve Bank of New York profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in government.

Careers in Government

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Government

See more companies with entry level jobs and internships in government: