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Pathways to success

  • Published
  • By Desiree Ann Montenegro
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  As my last year of graduate school approached, I was filled with a mixture of emotions. I was excited to know that I would be completing the last mile of my graduate education, but daunted by the fact that the job market I would be facing was in one of the worst conditions ever. That is a unique experience that thousands upon thousands of new graduates and current students will face this year alone.

The deficient status of the job market and the growing number of graduates each year made for a climate our president would not ignore. In December 2010, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13562, establishing the Pathways Programs.

Pathways consists of a three-part program path specifically designed to recruit, hire, train and retain recent graduates and current student, and took effect July 10, 2012.

According to the Office of Personnel Management, the programs present students and new graduates with a clear path to federal internships and potential careers in government civil service. Some programs include federal internships, Recent Graduates Program and the Presidential Management Fellows Program. These positions are competitive and appointed under newly created Schedule D of the expected service.

I am a grateful product of said Pathways Program, currently taking part in the Public Affairs Palace Acquire Program. However, the opportunities were not presented to me overnight. It took a lot of work on my part and persistence that could not waiver. With a lot of instruction and advice, the Pathways process was accessible and after several months, my efforts produced two successful offers.

I have been asked on multiple occasions how I was able to navigate the job market and land such a great opportunity. I have been asked these questions by individuals ranging from military members getting ready to transition to civilian life, to other civilians on behalf of their dependants. These questions compelled me to share both my experience, as well as the Pathways Programs with others who might benefit.

Even though the job market is rough, there are resources out there that are available. By utilizing the opportunities available, we can all look out into the future and not be disappointed by what we don't see, but be pleasantly surprised by the potential.

For more information regarding the Pathways Programs visit: http://www.opm.gov.
To view open internship and career opportunities visit: https://www.usajobs.gov.

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