Hampton, Va. (May 1, 2023) – Hampton University recently launched the Level Up to Service Internship Event, a pilot program that convened the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Hampton City Schools, and Hampton University to teach students about internship and career opportunities within the Federal government.
More than 200 Hampton University and high school students met with representatives from OPM, which serves as the chief human resources agency and personal policy manager for the Federal Government as well as representatives from various federal agencies who helped them apply for internships and navigate the USAJOBS website to search for opportunities.
First Lady Myra Williams, Hampton alumni class of 1983 and key organizer of the event, said, “Hampton is focused on tapping into the government recruitment and paid internship opportunities for students on campus and in the community. The event complements the President’s view that every student leaves the school graduating with either a job or some other kind of position.”
“President Biden has a commitment to paid internships as a part of the DEIA Executive order,” said Dr. Janice Underwood, Hampton alumni class of 1998 and director of the office of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. “Our hope is to replicate this across all HBCUs, Hispanic serving institutions, and institutions that serve people with disabilities and tribal affiliated institutions. We want to make sure that we are going to communities that are typically underserved in the federal government as opposed to just waiting for them to apply.”
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