CAREER TIPS AND STUDENT SERVICES

Federal internship conference is huge success.

Federal Internship Program and Career and Education Fair

A whopping 250 students attended “Internships: The First Step to a Federal Profession,” a free, daylong event hosted by Florida International University’s Office of Career Services, the Student Government Association, and Delta Epsilon Iota, the academic honor society. The event—the first statewide conference on the topic—also drew sixty agency representatives and career professionals from eight Florida colleges and universities.

University President Modesto Maidique welcomed the attendees, who represented the Federal Aviation Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission, the Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and others.

A special panel that was focused on business and accounting gave students in the College of Business Administration an opportunity to learn more about internships in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of State, and Immigration.

“It was a great event, including the breakout sections on topics such as resume writing,” said junior finance major Daniel Duarte.

Though he believes that many people don’t know about what the government has to offer, Duarte, who had worked for the Department of Homeland Security as a TSA screener at Miami International airport when he was nineteen, already was aware of the opportunities. He also thinks that upcoming changes will be favorable for those considering a career in the government.

“Many people don’t realize that a high percentage of federal employees are going to be retiring in the next five to ten years, so the possibilities are extensive,” Duarte said.

Sophomore Daniela Figuerola, who plans to major in business or international relations, felt she got a lot out of the experience and would attend again.

“I would plan to follow up on what I learned and to participate in additional breakout sessions,” she said. “It was good to find out what the government offers, and I was told that I would probably be an asset to the FBI, which was interesting to learn.”