Imagine having a future employer sit with you and spell out what will impress – and what will be a turnoff – when you apply for an internship or a job. Well, that’s exactly what MU students got for free this fall, when representatives from top federal agencies came to campus for a Federal Government Roundtable. One participant described it as “fantastic.”
Marymount’s commitment to fostering solid career preparation goes hand-in-hand with the university’s emphasis on a strong liberal arts foundation. On both counts, MU students benefit from the opportunities that emerge from the university’s location next door to our nation’s capital.
At the roundtable, the students met with representatives from the State Department, the FBI, the Smithsonian Institution, and the General Services Administration. A retired CIA officer, whose government career included work in the Treasury Department and the Pentagon, also attended.
They gave students valuable insider views on the culture of various federal agencies and tips on how to stand out from the competition as an applicant.
Sophomore Stephen Boyce, an information technology major, already is working at an internship with the State Department, providing IT support. But he came to the roundtable because his dream job after graduation is to join the FBI. He said, “I learned some useful tips to improve my resume, like adding my security clearance and being more detailed in job descriptions. I also learned that my security clearance from the State Department won’t transfer to the FBI, but having it will make the process easier. This event was fantastic!”