Graduate student internships

Pathways Internship Program

The Pathways Internship Program is a paid internship designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions—from high school to graduate level—with opportunities to work in agencies and explore federal careers while still in school and getting paid for the work performed. Internships offer students invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to careers in the public service and international development. 

Internships run for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. During the school year, interns are permitted to select from a 20-hour, 25-hour, and full-time work schedule; in the summer interns generally work full-time. These positions are temporary and do not convert into permanent positions. The new Career Internship Program offers the students the opportunity to work until they graduate from their educational programs. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the Civil Service, though this is not a guarantee.

Announcements are posted on USAJobs several months before the internship start date to give students the opportunity to obtain the required security clearances before starting.

Eligibility Requirements for Graduate student internships

• Must be a U.S. citizen, national or legal permanent resident. Non-citizens may apply. (Must be U.S. citizen prior to conversion to competitive appointment)
• Must be at least 16 years of age by the closing date of the announcement
• Must maintain student eligibility for duration of internship*
• Must be enrolled or plan on enrolling in the current or upcoming semester in an accredited (Verify Accreditation):
  • High school
  • Associate’s
  • Bachelor’s
  • Master’s
  • Professional
  • Doctorate
  • Vocational/technical
  • Certificate (must be equivalent to post-secondary level education and at least one academic year of full-time study)
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the time of the application for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students throughout the internship appointment

*The term ”student” indicates a person who has been accepted for enrollment or is enrolled as a degree-seeker in an accredited college or university at least half-time. Some positions may also accept currently enrolled high school students. Note: Students may apply for positions that are unrelated to their degree programs.

Qualification Requirements for Graduate student internships

To qualify for this position: 

• At the GS-01 grade level: You must be enrolled in a high school or GED program.
• At the GS-02 grade level: You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• At the GS-03 grade level: You must have completed one full academic year of post-high school study.
• At the GS-04 grade level: You must have completed two full academic years of post-high school study or an associate’s degree.
• At the GS-05 grade level: You must have completed all requirements for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree.
• At the GS-07 grade level: You must have completed one full academic year of graduate-level education or eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision after completing a bachelor’s degree.
• At the GS-9 grade level: You must have completed two academic years of graduate-level education, or a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree.
• At the GS-11 grade level:
  • For research positions, you must have completed all requirements for a master’s or equivalent graduate degree; 
  • For non-research positions, you must have completed all requirements for a PhD or equivalent degree.

Compensation and Benefits for the Graduate student internships

While the U.S. Government uses at least six different pay scales, the majority of Civil Service employees are paid using the GS (General Schedule) pay scale. The GS pay scale for Civil Service employees features 15 pay grades: GS-1 (lowest) to GS-15 (highest) with 10 steps within each grade. For more information, please visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) GS pay scale page.

Employees hired under the Pathways Programs on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave. 

Interns hired under the Seasonal Student Trainee Program are considered temporary employees and are generally eligible to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program if they are expected to work 130 hours per month or more for at least 90 days, in accordance with 5 CFR 890.102. 

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Those who meet the criteria laid out in these provisions will receive the same government contribution as full-time permanent employees. There is no provision for temporary employees to be eligible for life insurance coverage.

How to Apply for the Graduate student internships

Once an announcement is posted on USAJobs, candidates must complete applications (to include all required documents) electronically.

Candidates have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement to complete the application process. This includes submitting the online application as well as any required documents as defined in the Required Documents section in the listed announcement. Candidates should complete their applications the day the announcement opens to ensure they receive consideration. If candidates fail to submit all of the required documents or submit their applications late, they will be disqualified for consideration of employment.

Due to the volume of applications for USAID’s Pathways programs, there is typically a maximum number of applications for each vacancy announcement. The vacancy will close on the closing date listed in the announcement at midnight the day that the maximum number of applications are received, or when the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same.

Required Documents for the Graduate student internships

Candidates: You must submit all required documents listed below that are applicable to you by 11:59 p.m. ET on USAIDJobs on the closing date of the announcement: 

• A resumé that includes the following:
  • Contact information;
  • Academic standing/GPA;
  • Work/volunteer experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series, and grade, if applicable;
  • Supervisor’s name, phone number and email address for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and references.
• Current Transcripts: An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however if selected, an official college transcript will be required. Transcripts must include the student’s name, name of the school, current GPA/academic standing, past and current coursework, and degree program. If your school’s transcripts or documentation do not provide all the necessary information listed above, you should include additional official academic documentation that meets the requirements.
• Proof of enrollment or class registration and documentation that states projected graduation date: Proof of enrollment may include a screenshot of the semester class schedule, an official letter of enrollment, or official transcripts. The document should indicate the academic institution where the student is actively enrolled in courses, the degree or certificate program, and enrollment in at least a half-time status (as defined by the academic institution).
• Veterans’ preference documentation: If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must submit proof with your application.

Candidates: You must submit these documents for your application package to be considered complete. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are received within the required timeframes. USAID cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, system failure or downtime, etc. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

Veterans’ Preference for the Graduate student internships

For 5-point veteran’s preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4 is preferable) which must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. If you are currently on active duty, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service date, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be within 120 days of the date the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement.

For 10-point veteran’s preference, you must submit a current version of the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference), dated October 2013, and any documentation required by this form to support your claim. Previous editions of the SF-15 will not be accepted. If we cannot verify your 10-point preference status, you will receive 5-point preference if veterans’ preference requirements have been met.

For sole survivorship preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4 is preferable) or another form of official documentation which shows your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008, and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.