Internships and Career Opportunities
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Careers at USDA are diverse, rewarding, and in demand. USDA offers employment opportunities for students and recent graduates to work in agriculture, science, technology, math, nutrition, food systems, management, business, and managing the impacts of climate change. From the classroom to the workplace, USDA supports student engagement, recruitment, retention, and agricultural workforce development.
Pathways Programs
Start your career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates, recent veterans, and those with advanced degrees. There are three pathway opportunities.
The Pathways Internship Program provides year-round paid work experiences for current degree-seeking high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Interns may work during the summer, fall, spring or year-round and are eligible for non-competitive conversion upon program completion.
The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is for graduates within two years of degree or certificate completion, and for veterans within 6 years of obtaining a degree. Fellows are placed in a one-year career development program that may be non-competitively converted upon completion of program requirements.
The Presidential Management Fellows Program is the flagship leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. In addition to salary and benefits, fellows earn a two-year appointment that may be converted to a permanent appointment.
Scholarship Programs
1890 National Scholars Program
As a partnership between USDA and the 1890 historically black land-grant colleges and universities, the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program provides full tuition, fees, books, room and board to selected students pursuing a bachelors degree in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines at one of 19 designated 1890s land-grant universities. When the student has completed the academic and summer work requirements of the scholarship, USDA may at its discretion convert the student to a permanent employee without further competition.
1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.
Eligible students are those that plan to attend and are enrolled, currently attend, or recently graduated from a Tribal College or University. The program provides full tuition, employment, housing or a living stipend, employee benefits, fees, and books each year for up to 4 years to selected students at one of 35 federally recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities and continuing at other higher education institutions. When the student has completed the scholarship requirements, including a paid internship, USDA may convert the student to a permanent USDA employee without further competition.
National Service Programs
National service programs provide opportunities for participants to address community needs while increasing their own skills and career exploration opportunities.
21st Century Conservation Corps
The 21st Century Conservation Corps provides paid opportunities for young adults between ages 15 and 30, and veterans up to age 35, to contribute to the restoration of healthy forests and grasslands and acquire conservation and other professional skills.
AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps
Through the AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps program, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, diverse teams of 18-26 year-olds work under the direction of one team leader and complete the service term living and serving together. Participants perform direct, hands-on service in the areas of wildfire risk mitigation, reforestation, environmental conservation, and resource management. Young adults undergo intensive training with the U.S. Forest Service to prepare for the service projects, taking on leadership roles and specialized assignments along the way. Learn and grow with a team of your peers and get a foot in the door to work environmental conservation as a career.
American Climate Corps
As part of historic efforts to combat climate change, advance environmental justice, and build the clean energy economy, USDA is excited to announce its participation in the American Climate Corps. The American Climate Corps (ACC), is a groundbreaking, workforce training and service initiative that will prepare tens of thousands of young people for good-paying jobs in the clean economy and for climate resilience. In year one, American Climate Corps will put more than 20,000 young people on career pathways in the growing fields of clean energy, conservation and climate resilience.
Indian Youth Service Corps
The Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) is a Department of the Interior (DOI) initiative designed to engage Native youth in meaningful public service projects on federal and Tribal lands for the benefit of Native communities. Participants engage in projects related to natural resources; parks and recreation; environmental conservation and restoration; infrastructure and construction; energy; and a broad range of cultural, historic, and archaeological resources. These projects provide education, employment, and training to Native American and Alaska Native individuals ages 16-30 (or veterans up to the age of 35) and can serve as an invaluable community resource and hiring pipeline to careers in several critical fields.
Public Lands Corps
The Public Lands Corps provides meaningful, paid work experience for young adults between 16 and 30 to advance conservation and stewardship of public lands through wildfire risk reduction, trails and recreation management, habitat restoration, research, visitor services, and more, developing skills necessary to join the next generation of conservation leaders.
Resource Assistants Program
The Resource Assistants Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship for individuals 17 years and older who are interested in natural and cultural resources careers. Resource Assistants work under the supervision of U.S. Forest Service staff to complete mission-critical projects that develop leadership, critical thinking, and strategic communication skills. Through collaboration, coaching, and mentorship, resource assistants launch their careers and expand their understanding of our Nation’s natural and cultural resources and land management priorities.
Youth Conservation Corps
The U.S. Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer youth employment program that engages young people, ages 15 to 18, in meaningful work experiences in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and fish hatcheries. Youth are engaged in fun, exciting work projects designed to develop an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. Projects include building and repairing trails; preserving and repairing historic buildings; removing invasive species; helping with wildlife and land research; and leading environmental education.
Third-Party Internship Programs
USDA partners with a wide variety of organizations to provide students the opportunity to work with our 29 agencies and offices and gain practical experience in different fields. Each of these programs provide differing benefits for students. Recruitment and selection are completed by the host programs.
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership Public Service Internship Program
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Public Service Internship Program places undergraduate and graduate students within the public sector in Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States. Intern assignments cover a range of policy or scientific research, project coordination and management, business, law, communications, and more. All interns are awarded a stipend.
Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program – Tribal Policy, Agriculture and Food
The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program – Tribal Policy, Agriculture and Food is a paid opportunity for undergraduate, graduate, and law students to gain specialized career experience in the USDA Office of Tribal Relations and with USDA mission areas. Interns work on programs that benefit Indian Country and relate to USDA Tribal agriculture and food policy programs.
HEP/CAMP Internship Program
USDA offers a paid 10-week internship program for students from migrant and farmworker backgrounds. Interns will gain work experience and learn about career opportunities available within USDA while working at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The program is run in partnership with the National HEP/CAMP Association, comprised of universities, colleges, and nonprofit organizations that administer a High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and/or a College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). Participating interns will be current or former participants of HEP and/or CAMP programs at their respective institutions. This internship program is administered by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). Eligible students are current CAMP students, alumni, and HEP graduates attending a post-secondary institution.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) representing more than 500 member institutions across the United States. The HACU National Internship Program places students in federal and corporate internships. USDA has partnered with the HACU for more than 28 years to provide over 3,000 college students with paid spring, summer, or fall internships at various USDA offices in Washington, D.C. as well as field offices. The program gives undergraduate and graduate students valuable professional experience in the federal sector. Students are recruited based on academic performance, leadership, and community service.
International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program
The International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP) provides fellowships to eligible U.S. citizens to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field and must understand U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs.
NextGen Program
USDA made a historic $262.5 million investment in 2023 in over 60 minority-serving institutions across the United States and Insular Areas to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of leaders in food, agricultural, natural resources and human sciences fields. A wide array of new scholarships, internships, and experiential learning opportunities are available through these colleges and universities for K-12, high school students, two and four year undergraduate students, and graduate students.
ORISE Internship Programs
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Internship Programs places undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates in paid scientific internships, fellowships, and postdoctoral fellowships at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Learn more about ARS opportunities ›
Learn more about APHIS opportunities ›
Learn more about USFS opportunities ›
Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates
The Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) Program Area Priority promotes experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students at two- and four-year institutions such that upon graduation they may enter the agricultural workforce with exceptional skills. This grant program allows colleges and universities to design paid internships programs that provide undergraduate students with research and extension/outreach opportunities components in the food and agricultural sciences. Each project funded has its own timeline, disciplines supported, and selection process.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Internship Program
TMCF supports students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, agricultural, mathematics, and business at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This program accepts undergraduate students with at least a sophomore standing, graduate, and professional students. Applicants must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA with strong verbal and written communication skills.
Wallace-Carver Fellowship Program
Working with the World Food Prize, USDA offers college students the opportunity to collaborate with scientists and policymakers through paid fellowships at USDA research centers and offices across the United States. Fellows help analyze agricultural and economic policy; assist in the management of food, nutrition and rural development programs; and take part in groundbreaking field and laboratory-based research. Fellows also participate in a weeklong symposium hosted by the USDA in Washington, D.C. Named for Henry A. Wallace and George Washington Carver, two of American leaders in agricultural science and policy who made significant strides toward ending hunger, the Wallace-Carver Fellowship seeks to educate, inspire, and train the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Career Development Programs
These programs offer participating students opportunities for professional growth and career exploration by providing opportunities to develop their skills through real-world experiences at USDA agencies and increase their professional network and awareness of careers at USDA and the agricultural sector.
Agricultural Scholars
The Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholars program engages graduate student scholars working in agricultural economics or related agricultural policy work with a year-long series of learning experiences focused on gaining a deeper understanding of production agriculture, agribusiness, and government, in hopes of inspiring and training the next generation of agricultural economists interested agricultural policy, commodity market analysis, agricultural finance, and other applied fields of economics.
FAS Diversity Fellowship Program
The FAS Diversity Fellowship Program provides a path for outstanding students, particularly those from minority groups historically under-represented at USDA, to pursue careers in the U.S. Foreign Service. The fellowship will provide funding and support for selected students to receive master’s degrees in Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics at the accredited U.S. university of their choice. Fellows will participate in domestic and overseas internships with FAS and will be offered extensive mentoring and professional development opportunities.
Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program
The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program is a locally funded initiative that provides District of Columbia youth ages 14 to 24 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences in the private and government sectors. Eligible youth will have the opportunity to earn money and gain meaningful work experience; learn and develop the skills, attitudes and commitment necessary to succeed in today’s world of work; and gain exposure to various career industries.
Other Programs
Forest Service Job Corps
The Forest Service Job Corps is a residential career training program for young people ages 16 to 24 to conserve the nation’s natural resources while helping them complete their high school education, train them for meaningful careers, and assist them with obtaining employment. The U.S. Department of Labor leads Job Corps in collaboration with USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service operates 24 Civilian Conservation Centers.
USDA Climate Change Fellows Program
The USDA Climate Change Fellows Program (CCFP) hires staff to work on climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts across the Department, providing analysis on agriculture and forestry technologies and practices that provide climate change adaptation and mitigation benefits, economic and policy analysis on agriculture, forest management and climate change, and development of science-based tools and information products that will help improve management of working lands. Eligible applicants are those who have completed undergraduate or graduate education as of the time of appointment. Fellows are hired through a time-limited appointment with an initial appointment of up to a two year period. Additional one year extensions may be made; however, the appointment cannot exceed a total of four years.
