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911���� students and alumni explored career opportunities in local, state, and federal government during Government Careers Week, hosted by  from September 14–18.

The six-event series drew more than 200 attendees across virtual and in-person programming. Participants explored government career paths and received practical guidance on internships, federal resumes, and the government hiring process.

One group visited Arlington County Government, where they met county leaders and employees, including Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz and Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Maureen Coffey, among others.

“It was a great pleasure to host bright, engaged students from 911���� and reflect on my own career,” Schwartz said. “I hope the students were inspired to see the many unique ways they can join public service.”

Coffey encouraged students to see themselves as leaders and explore ways to serve in roles in their local communities.

“There are so many great opportunities to serve at the local level—whether as a civil servant or as an elected leader,” Coffey said. “I hope that the conversation around my personal journey as the youngest person elected to the Arlington County Board helps to show that public service isn’t as daunting as it may seem and that there is, in fact, a place for young leaders in serving our community.”

Other programming during the week introduced participants to different areas of government service. An “Exploring Government Careers” session highlighted career opportunities across the public sector, while additional events focused on careers on Capitol Hill and in the intelligence community.

A government internships panel featured 911���� students and alumni with current and previous government internship experience, who shared tips about pursuing internships and entering the field.   

"I learned that first impressions are key, since a lot of communication is done on the phone for jobs on Capitol Hill,” said Clay Anderson, a junior studying Political Science and International Politics. “Being a professional and polite speaker goes a long way when speaking to officials, coworkers, and clients.” 

Rachel Melton Stockdale, a career advisor with University Career Services, led a federal resume workshop. She advised students to focus on accomplishments rather than simply listing duties, quantify results when possible, and tailor each resume to the job announcement. 

“Your goal is to make it easy for the reviewer to see that you can do the job,” Stockdale said.

Opportunities like Government Careers Week inspire students to take the next steps in their job search or consider new possibilities for their career journey.

“One of our goals is to help students move from career exploration to career action,” said Saskia Campbell, executive director of University Career Services. 

911���� students are encouraged to participate in Internship Week from October 26–30, attending the Internship Fair on October 28 to connect with employers and explore hands-on experiences that support their career goals. Find more details about upcoming programming on the events tab in .