All about VSFS
Are you a student looking for a way to make a real difference in the work of your government, while also gaining job experience and connections?
Are you a federal employee looking for help on projects? Need new ideas or fresh perspectives? VSFS can benefit you!
Through the Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) program, students can work on projects that advance the work of government on multiple fronts. Projects include helping counter violent extremism, strengthening human rights monitoring, developing virtual programs, engaging in digital communications, mapping, economic and political reporting, data analysis, graphic design, and app building.
No more nine to five
VSFS is accommodating and flexible. Through VSFS, students can intern from wherever they are – from dorm rooms to libraries to coffee shops, or anywhere in the world with a broadband or Internet connection. Students set their own schedules too – working on projects on a timetable that fits their life.
Through VSFS, students can also choose projects from a wide variety of agencies – more than 40 federal agencies. Through VSFS, federal employees connect with students from diverse backgrounds and skills, as well as with their colleagues across government.
How it works
Each year, federal employees submit project requests between May 1 and June 10. U.S. students apply to their top three VSFS projects from July 1-31 on USAJOBS.gov. VSFS supervisors review applications between August 1-31 and may contact VSFS candidates for a virtual interview. As part of the interview, candidates may be asked to show examples of their expertise and work. All candidates will hear by early September if they have been offered a position.
Selected eInterns work on their projects for ten hours a week from September through May. Some eInterns work their academic institutions to receive course credit for their VSFS participation.
For more details, please visit the Student and Mentor FAQ sections.
