Andrea Gnilka ⋅ Springfield , VA Deloitte ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Demonte,

One thing you should also look at is how highly the government employees rate the agency in which they work as you consider where to go. The Partnership for Public Service posts survey results annually on which agencies are ranked the best and worst places to work in the Federal government. This is often telling about the type of culture, career path and general employee happiness that exist at an agency. The 2015 report is available here: http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/index.php

Hope this helps.

Best,

Andrea

Deb Yeagle ⋅ Tampa , FL Plan To Win, Inc. ⋅ 39 years experience

Thanks for your service!
Take a look at jobs available in DHS or DTRA!
Good luck and let me know if you need specific recommendations!
Deb

Susana Moraga ⋅ Hayward , CA California State University East Bay ⋅ 20 years experience

Joe,

As a student you want to be looking at the federal internship programs; Pathways is a program many departments use to bring in college students.
It sounds like you have some good experience and are on track with preparing for your goals.
Do some research in the agencies you are interested in and informational interviews to better understand how these agencies recruit.
Good luck,

Patrick Haley ⋅ Longmont , CO IBM ⋅ 38 years experience

Hey Joe - here is an approach you may consider - go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Flats_Plant.

Here is one example of a situation where multiple companies and Government agencies are included in the overview (Public Companies: EG&G, Rockwell, Government agencies: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, Government agencies: GAO, DOE, AEC) are all mentioned there.

Use Google and the Internet to scout out who the players are in the fields you specialize in.

Also, FEMA is always looking for help but not sure they can utilize your specialized skills to the fullest.

Hope this helps you.

Patrick Haley (SSGT Army - 1972-1979)
Delivery Project Executive - IBM

William Orr ⋅ Greenwood , IN Edward Jones Investments ⋅ 4 years experience

Be careful with the 'lower branch' assumptions. All of the agencies you mention are federal law enforcement a.k.a. Special Agent (18XX) positions and they essentially use a similar hiring metric via the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). They are federal 'cop' positions.

In all, you'll need that Bachelor's Degree, so I'd remain focused there for now. Keep your head in the game for your CBRN duties and learn as much as you can. You have three years to go, so take advantage of the leadership opportunities there. A record of increasing responsibility and success will likely carry more weight than the certifications you attain.