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EI-01Federal Employment Information Fact Sheets
Student Educational Employment (STEP)
Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
The Student Educational Employment Program provides Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, vocational, 2 or 4 year college or university, graduate or professional school. The Student Educational Employment Program established December 16, 1994, is a streamlined program which replaces the old Federal Student Employment Program by consolidating four programs:
  • Federal Junior Fellowship Program
  • Stay-In-School Program
  • Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program
This streamlined program is comprised of two components: the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP), and the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). The STEP provides maximum flexibility to both students and managers because the nature of the work does not have to be related to the student's academic or career goals. The SCEP, however, provides work experience which is directly related to the student's academic program and career goals. Students in the SCEP may be noncompetitively converted to term, career or career-conditional appointments following completion of their academic and work experience requirements.

The Student Educational Employment Program benefits both agencies and students. Agencies can discover first-hand the abilities of a potential employee. In the case of SCEP, agencies can bring well educated graduates into their workforce while at the same time give their managers the ability to evaluate the student's performance in real work situations. Students, on the other hand, can avail themselves of such flexibilities as year round employment and flexible work schedules and assignments. Students in the SCEP gain exposure to public service while enhancing their educational goals and shaping their career choices.

We encourage agencies to utilize the Student Educational Employment Program authority for several reasons. Even in an era of downsizing, there is a continuing need to recruit and develop talented employees to support changing agency missions, ensure that the Government can meet its professional, technical, and administrative needs, and achieve a quality and diverse workforce. Appointments made under the Student Educational Employment Program authority can help agencies meet these needs.

NEXT STEPS....
Students may contact their school guidance office, career planning and placement office, teachers, or Federal agency employment office where they are interested in working. They may also visit these OPM websites at: http://www.opm.gov/employ/students/index.htm and http://www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/FLX04020.asp for additional information.

AS OF: 10/26/2009