Are you a student or recent graduate eager to launch a fulfilling career in agriculture, science, or public service? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a wealth of opportunities to gain invaluable experience and build a pathway to impactful roles. From tackling climate change to ensuring food security, USDA’s diverse mission provides a platform for passionate individuals to make a real difference.
This article explores the various career development programs and internships available at USDA, designed to attract and cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders. Whether you’re interested in hands-on field work, cutting-edge research, or shaping national policy, USDA has a program to ignite your passion and propel your career forward.
Pathways to USDA Careers: Internship and Graduate Programs
USDA’s Pathways Programs are specifically designed to provide clear routes for students and recent graduates to enter federal service. These programs offer structured internships and fellowships that can lead to permanent positions upon successful completion. Let’s delve into the key Pathways opportunities:
Pathways Internship Program
For current students at the high school, undergraduate, or graduate level, the Pathways Internship Program offers paid work experiences throughout the year. This program allows you to integrate practical experience with your academic studies, providing a taste of real-world challenges and opportunities within USDA. Internships are available across various USDA agencies and offices, spanning diverse fields from agricultural research to rural development.
- Flexibility: Internships can be pursued during summer, fall, spring, or year-round to accommodate your academic schedule.
- Conversion Potential: Successful completion of the internship program can make you eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent USDA position, providing a significant head start to your federal career.
Pathways Recent Graduates Program
If you’ve recently graduated with a degree or certificate within the last two years (or within six years for veterans), the Pathways Recent Graduates Program is your gateway to a career at USDA. This program is a one-year career development opportunity tailored to recent graduates seeking to launch their professional journey in public service.
- Structured Development: Fellows in this program participate in a structured career development plan, gaining valuable skills and experience through on-the-job training and mentorship.
- Non-Competitive Conversion: Successful completion of the Recent Graduates Program can lead to non-competitive conversion to a permanent position, providing a stable and rewarding career path.
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program stands as a prestigious leadership development program for individuals with advanced degrees. If you hold a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree, this program offers an exceptional opportunity to accelerate your career in public service leadership.
- Leadership Focus: PMF program emphasizes leadership development, providing fellows with challenging assignments and opportunities to hone their leadership skills.
- Career Advancement: PMF fellows are appointed for two years, with potential conversion to permanent positions. This program is a highly competitive and respected pathway to leadership roles within the federal government.
Scholarship Programs: Investing in Future Agricultural Leaders
USDA is committed to fostering the next generation of agricultural professionals through generous scholarship programs aimed at students pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields. These scholarships not only provide financial support but also create a direct pipeline to USDA employment.
1890 National Scholars Program
In partnership with 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program offers comprehensive financial support to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines at designated 1890 land-grant universities.
- Full Financial Coverage: The scholarship covers full tuition, fees, books, room, and board, removing financial barriers to higher education.
- Direct Path to USDA Employment: Upon successful completion of academic and summer work requirements, scholars may be converted to permanent USDA employees, securing a stable and impactful career.
1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program is dedicated to increasing representation of American Indian and Alaska Native students in agriculture, food, and natural resource sciences. This program supports students attending Tribal Colleges and Universities and other higher education institutions.
- Comprehensive Support: The program provides full tuition, employment opportunities, housing or a living stipend, employee benefits, fees, and books for up to 4 years.
- Guaranteed USDA Employment Pathway: Scholars who fulfill scholarship requirements, including a paid internship, are eligible for conversion to permanent USDA employment, ensuring a meaningful career contributing to tribal communities and agriculture.
National Service Programs: Serving Communities, Building Skills
USDA supports various national service programs that offer hands-on experiences in conservation, community development, and resource management. These programs are excellent avenues for young adults to gain valuable skills, explore career paths, and contribute to critical community needs.
21st Century Conservation Corps
The 21st Century Conservation Corps provides paid opportunities for young adults and veterans to engage in projects focused on restoring forests and grasslands while acquiring valuable conservation and professional skills.
AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps
In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps program engages young adults in hands-on service projects related to wildfire risk mitigation, reforestation, environmental conservation, and resource management. This program offers intensive training and a pathway to environmental conservation careers.
American Climate Corps
As a key initiative to combat climate change, the American Climate Corps offers a groundbreaking workforce training and service program. USDA is a participating agency, providing opportunities for young people to gain skills and experience in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience, preparing them for in-demand jobs in the growing green economy.
Indian Youth Service Corps
The Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC), a Department of the Interior initiative, offers Native youth opportunities to participate in public service projects on federal and Tribal lands. Projects span natural resources, parks and recreation, environmental conservation, infrastructure, and cultural resource management, providing valuable experience and career pathways.
Public Lands Corps
The Public Lands Corps provides paid work experience for young adults to contribute to the conservation and stewardship of public lands. Projects include wildfire risk reduction, trails management, habitat restoration, and visitor services, developing essential skills for future conservation leaders.
Resource Assistants Program
The Resource Assistants Program (RAP) is an immersive, paid internship for individuals interested in natural and cultural resources careers. Resource Assistants work under the guidance of U.S. Forest Service staff on mission-critical projects, building leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills essential for career advancement.
Youth Conservation Corps
The U.S. Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a summer employment program engaging young people in meaningful work experiences in national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Participants contribute to conservation projects while developing environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.
Third-Party Internship Programs: Expanding Your Network
USDA partners with numerous organizations to offer students diverse internship opportunities across its agencies and offices. These programs provide varied benefits and are managed by the host organizations.
Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership Public Service Internship Program
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Public Service Internship Program places students in public sector internships in Washington, D.C., and nationwide. Internships span policy research, project management, business, law, and communications, offering a stipend to participants.
Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program – Tribal Policy, Agriculture and Food
This program offers paid internships for students to gain specialized experience with the USDA Office of Tribal Relations and USDA mission areas, focusing on programs benefiting Indian Country and tribal agriculture and food policy.
HEP/CAMP Internship Program
USDA provides a paid 10-week internship for students from migrant and farmworker backgrounds. Interns gain work experience at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., learning about career opportunities. This program partners with the National HEP/CAMP Association.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program
USDA collaborates with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to offer paid internships for students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions. This program provides valuable professional experience in federal sector roles across various USDA offices.
International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program
The International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP) offers fellowships to U.S. citizens to support developing countries in establishing agricultural education and youth extension programs. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree in agriculture-related field and understanding of U.S. agricultural education programs.
NextGen Program
USDA’s NextGen Program represents a significant investment in minority-serving institutions, creating scholarships, internships, and experiential learning opportunities across K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
ORISE Internship Programs
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Internship Programs provides paid scientific internships, fellowships, and postdoctoral fellowships at USDA agencies including the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). For those interested in animal and plant health, APHIS internship opportunities through ORISE provide pathways to impactful careers in safeguarding American agriculture and natural resources.
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 supports colleges and universities in designing paid internship programs with research and extension components in food and agricultural sciences, fostering experiential learning for undergraduates.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Internship Program
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund Internship Program (TMCF) supports students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in STEM fields, agriculture, mathematics, and business. Internships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with strong academic records.
Wallace-Carver Fellowship Program
In collaboration with the World Food Prize, the Wallace-Carver Fellowship Program offers college students paid fellowships at USDA research centers and offices nationwide. Fellows contribute to agricultural and economic policy analysis, food and nutrition programs, and groundbreaking research, developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Career Development Programs: Enhancing Professional Growth
USDA offers specialized career development programs to equip students with professional skills and real-world experiences, broadening their career horizons within the agricultural sector.
Agricultural Scholars
The Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholars program engages graduate students in agricultural economics and policy with year-long learning experiences focused on production agriculture, agribusiness, and government. This program cultivates future agricultural economists and policy leaders.
FAS Diversity Fellowship Program
The FAS Diversity Fellowship Program aims to create pathways for underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in the U.S. Foreign Service. The fellowship provides funding for master’s degrees in Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics, along with internships and mentorship opportunities with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program
The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, a local DC initiative, offers summer work experiences for District of Columbia youth in private and government sectors, including USDA. This program provides valuable work experience and skill development.
Other Programs: Diverse Avenues to USDA
Beyond internships and scholarships, USDA offers additional programs catering to specific career interests and development stages.
Forest Service Job Corps
The Forest Service Job Corps is a residential career training program for young people focused on conserving natural resources. This program combines high school education completion, career training, and employment assistance, operated by the U.S. Forest Service in collaboration with the Department of Labor.
USDA Climate Change Fellows Program
The USDA Climate Change Fellows Program hires professionals to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts across the Department. Fellows engage in analysis of agriculture and forestry practices, policy analysis, and development of science-based tools related to climate change.
Learn more ›
Fast Facts on Careers in Agriculture
- Diverse Career Paths: Over 200 career options exist in research, production, processing, and distribution within agriculture.
- Job Growth: The agricultural sector generates over 57,000 new jobs annually.
- Significant Employment: Agriculture-related fields employ over 21 million people.
- Extensive USDA Presence: USDA comprises more than two dozen agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees across 4,500 locations in the U.S. and abroad.
