The U.S. State Department’s Pathways Program provides students with part-time internship positions and a strong chance of landing a job with a federal agency post-graduation. Pathways internships are provided at many federal agencies and encompass a variety of technical fields and specialties, including at the United State Geological Survey (USGS).
While many federal job opportunities require extensive work experience, Pathways internships are entry level positions geared towards students and recent graduates. These internships provide space to develop industry-specific expertise in a range of possible work areas and equip students to succeed in their future careers. But they are rare, and competitive—so it’s good to prepare in advance if you plan to apply.
PSU student Josh Gottlieb began as a Pathways intern for the USGS in January 2022 while an undergraduate in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He plans to continue in the Pathways Program through his master’s degree, and is optimistic he will be able to use one of the projects at the USGS to fulfill the degree’s research requirements.
At the USGS, Josh monitors the function of data-gathering equipment by evaluating incoming data streams. He has learned how dependent civil engineering projects, academic research, and resource management are on federal agencies like the USGS. Projects ranging from building bridges to managing irrigation to combating climate change depend on data and research provided by the USGS, and in this Josh finds a sense of fulfillment.
Josh's interest in water stems from a childhood interest in biology which was strengthened during his education. For instance, Josh did fieldwork with PSU’s Center for Lakes and Reservoirs for a few summers, helping to sample invasive species around the Columbia River. During these summers, Josh recognized his love of working outdoors and his passion for water research. He credits these experiences and the contacts he made there to his success in the Pathways Program.
Josh describes the USGS Pathways internship as a great part-time job which is both empowering and flexible. The Pathways Program encourages students to see themselves as developing scientists who take responsibility for their time and strive to contribute ideas and expertise to ongoing projects. Josh’s work schedule is tailored around his classes. Pathways interns work a minimum of 16 hours per week at the USGS; many students work more hours as their class schedule allows, and move to full time during the summer. Vacation time is flexible, but Josh stressed that if a flood or other natural event occurs, he knows he will need to be on-site to collect data.
Landing a Pathways Internship
Josh and Matthew Dale, the Pathways Program manager for the ORWSC, recommend that interested students should learn about the USGS mission areas and programs to understand what the USGS is looking for and what it can offer you.
Both also stressed that having prior technical experience, while not required, can strengthen an application. Paid or volunteer positions are often advertised by PSU science departments, centers, and institutes. Local government departments and nonprofits offer other avenues to volunteer in water resource management. Matthew also suggested volunteering with ongoing USGS research projects. (Students interested in volunteering at the USGS should contact UPP@pdx.edu.) Volunteering directly with the USGS gets your name on their radar, potentially making you more competitive in a Pathways application.
Pathways internships are unpredictable, so be sure to check USAjobs.gov regularly for opportunities. And join the UPP Student mailing list to make sure you get up-to-date water science news and internship announcements, including about the Pathway Program.