2024 Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) Program

Deadline: July 28, 2024

Internships

Government

Location(s)

  • Online

Overview

The Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) is a nine-month remote internship for U.S. citizen students, college-level and above, who would like to make a real difference in the work of the U.S. government.

Details

Since 2009, thousands of eInterns have expanded the efforts of the U.S. government, working remotely from their school, dorm room, apartment, local library or coffee shop – wherever they happen to be!

Virtual interns work only on unclassified projects. They report to their mentors at the Department of State and other federal government agencies in the U.S. and around the world by email, phone, or video chat. VSFS is managed by the Office of eDiplomacy in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Information Resource Management.

Program overview

Every year, employees from across the federal government register as “mentors’ on the vsfs.state.gov site. They submit projects from April 24th - June 25th. Students #ApplyinJuly. They choose three of the hundreds of projects and introduce themselves - virtually - to those mentors by writing a personal statement. August is matching month, when mentors get to see all the students who have picked their project. Through interviews and emails, mentors make their selections and work begins in September. Students work approximately ten hours a week for the academic year.

VSFS student internships run from September through May.

Virtual interns work on hundreds of different projects. Students can look through the projects on vsfs.state.gov in order to decide which three they will select. Students can filter by agency or skill set to make sure they don’t miss the perfect project match for them! Once selected, students can expect to work – remotely – about ten hours a week for the academic school year, from September to April or May. Some students work with their Universities to get course credit, or even stipends. Virtual work is real work, and VSFS projects come in every shape and size. There literally is something for everyone, from analysis to zoology.

Application

The VSFS vacancy announcement is open July 1 and July 28 on the USAJOBS.gov website. During that time, students may find the listing by searching for “VSFS” or “Virtual Student Federal Service” on USAJOBS. Students may apply to up to three projects.

The USAJOBS application includes:

  • Federal resume built on USAJOBS. VSFS is unable to accept uploaded resumes.
  • College transcripts. If you are a rising college freshman, please upload your high school transcript. If you are starting graduate school, please upload your undergraduate transcript.
  • Reference contact information.
  • Your top three projects.
  • A Statement of Interest about your top three projects.

Bonus Tip:

Mentors will email top candidates for interviews and the VSFS program will keep in touch by email. Therefore, make sure your email account allows VSFS@state.gov and other dot-gov messages to be delivered to your inbox!

Opportunity is About


Eligibility

Candidates should be from:


Description of Ideal Candidate

A student is eligible to participate in the Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) program if they are a U.S. citizen, high school graduate who is enrolled at least half time at a university or college (half-time is as defined by that institution).


Dates

Deadline: July 28, 2024


Cost/funding for participants

VSFS is cost-free and interns are unpaid.

Why should I apply to be a Virtual Student Federal Service intern?

Why would you not?!! Virtual work is real work and real experience.  Students contribute fresh energy, new ideas and tech excellence to their government.  Although VSFS internships are unpaid, VSFS alumni tell us that the networking, and mentoring turned into real opportunities down the road. VSFS opens doors, and sometimes, students work with their colleges to translate real work into course credit. All VSFS internship work is unclassified and there are no badges or clearances.

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