Students and Recent Graduates
STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES
Let your education give your career wings.
The need to recruit and develop future leaders is a top priority for Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS), so we're always interested in top-performing college graduates. We encourage you to apply for all positions in which you are interested, provided you meet the Eligibility Requirements and Job Qualifications.
In addition, there are two United States Air Force recruiting programs aimed especially at college graduates: The PALACE Acquire Program and the COPPER CAP Program for Contract Specialists.
These programs provide full-time civilian employment opportunities in over 20 Career Fields, with 2-4 years of on-the-job-training and performance-based annual promotions while in training. U.S. citizenship and the willingness to relocate are required. The COPPER CAP program hires Contract Specialists only, while the PALACE Acquire Program hires for various Career Fields.
Upon completing the hiring process, PALACE Acquire and COPPER CAP participants begin at the GS-7 grade level with target grades of GS-11 to GS-12, depending on the occupation. For more information on these programs visit the links below:
Additional student programs include the following:
SMART Scholarship - Students pursuing degrees in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines are encouraged to apply for Science, Mathematics, And Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarships. In addition to tuition and other educational expenses, SMART participants receive a generous cash award, health insurance allowance, and summer internships at AFCS facilities. SMART is open to U.S. citizens pursuing undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude for excelling in STEM fields. For more information, contact us at secp@randolph.af.mil or visit http://smart.asee.org.
Government wide Hiring Programs for Students and Recent Graduates – The new program designed to help federal agencies recruit and hire students and recent graduates is entitled “Pathways.” The Pathways Program enables students from the high school through the graduate level to be employed in paid internship opportunities. In addition, Pathways also is an entry-level hiring program that can lead to permanent positions for students and recent graduates. The Pathways Program also has a hiring component, entitled the Presidential Management Fellows Program, for individuals with recent advanced degrees. Visit the USAJOBS website, to view information about Pathways and to search for Pathways opportunities.
Summer Hire Program – Students looking for temporary summer employment should consider the Summer Hire Program. Each year the Air Force offers students the opportunity to gain marketable skills and earn money while being exposed to the life and culture of an Air Force Installation. While jobs vary by location, primary positions include: Clerical, Lifeguard, Recreation Aid, Computer Clerk, and General Laborer. Visit the USAJOBS website at airforce.usajobs.gov to search for available positions and apply. If there are no open jobs posted on USAJOBS, check back later as new positions are frequently posted.
