Across the U.S., nearly 23 million people are employed federal, state, and local government agencies, and in the first eight months of 2023, public sector jobs with local, state, and federal government agencies represented nearly a quarter of all the new jobs created. Careers in government span a wide variety of sectors and interest areas, including biological and environmental sciences, business and finance, arts, education, engineering, health, social sciences, and many more.
If want to explore if a career in government is right for you, there are many resources to help you gain experience and find opportunities in federal, state, and local government agencies. Here are some to consider:
- At UF, the Bob Graham Center for Public Service offers internship programs in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee, and Gainesville. Plus, check out The Washington Center for additional opportunities.
- Go Government, a nonprofit organization that promotes careers with the federal government, offers a Federal Internship Finder for internships, entry-level roles, and fellowship opportunities.
- USAJOBS is your one-stop shop for careers across the federal government. Be sure to search opportunities for students and recent graduates, and check out the Events calendar for webinars and hiring events.
- My Florida is the database for Florida state government jobs.
- Interested in careers in local government? Search the city or state name to find their hiring website. Some to consider that have recruited at UF include Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, Citrus County, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Orlando Police Department.
- Government Jobs is a job board for careers in the public sector, and some governments use it as their main hiring platform.
Whatever your career interests, the Career Connections Center can help you explore opportunities and prepare for your next step. You can reach out to David Adams, Assistant Director for Career Pathways and career coach for Business, Public Service, and Tourism, to set up an appointment and learn more.
Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash
