GovernmentExecutive.com

In its quest to hire a new generation of civilian employees, the Pentagon has started paying students to recruit their college classmates.

So far, the Defense Department has hired two students -- one at Michigan Tech University and one at the University of Puerto Rice at Mayaguez -- to market Defense jobs to their peers. Next fall, the Pentagon plans to expand the program to three more schools.

Speaking at an October press conference on the campus of Michigan Tech in upper Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, Patricia Bradshaw, deputy undersecretary for civilian personnel policy, announced Robert Frankovich as the university's student recruiter. Frankovich is both a GS-4 Defense Department employee, earning about $10 per hour, and a business management major.

"We want to make sure students know that working for the DoD does not mean you have to wear a uniform," Bradshaw said.

The recruiter positions last for a semester or a full school year. The student-workers' duties, according to Defense officials, are to implement a marketing plan for Defense jobs aimed at attracting candidates from certain majors. The recruiters use campus newspapers, banners, posters, videos, slide presentations and even marquees to promote the jobs. They speak to student organizations, participate in panel discussions about Defense careers, run booths at career fairs and serve as points of contact for professional Pentagon recruiters.

"Each year, DoD agencies travel all over the country spending countless hours and valuable resources to recruit the top talent from colleges and universities," said Mark Smith, chief of the recruitment assistance division on the Pentagon's civilian side. "It was decided that a more permanent presence on campuses would help brand the Defense Department as an employer of choice."

Frankovich and Nydia Roman-Albertorio, who attends the University of Puerto Rico were hired under the Student Temporary Employment Program. The program gives federal agencies special authority to hire students for up to a year. Usually, the students come into a federal office; they don't stay on campus. In addition to their government paycheck, these students also earn school credit for their Pentagon work.

The two schools were selected because they focus on engineering and science. The Pentagon lists engineering, science, math, languages and health professions as its most needed occupations. In the case of the University of Puerto Rico, diversity was also a selling point, according to a Pentagon spokesman.

Student recruiters are the latest attempt to woo young people into the civil service as federal agencies face a large number of baby boomer retirements. This year, the Office of Personnel Management launched the first-ever television ad campaign to promote federal jobs.

COMMENTS

• Gulf Coast, Don't listen to all these bitter people. Sure there job may bite but don't let them lump the whole thing into one pile. I came from the private sector and they don't know how good they have it! Look at usajobs.com and donhr.navy.mil and be patient. Good luck kid! Tom Posted December 6, 2006 10:45 AM
• College grad on Gulf Coast, Go look for a real job in the private sector. It pays better, they lie less and you will find it much more rewarding. When you have an established pension in the private sector and have your kids through college, then go look for a government job if you still have a desire to do something for your country. You really do the most for your country if you operate in the private sector and not the government. Government operations are to correct for some of the holes left in society from private enterprise operating in a relatively free market environment trying to maximize its own benefits. Government does not produce much of value but tends to help those left behind in a free market economy by spending the money generated by the free market players to help those that cannot compete effectively for whatever reason. If you really want to help - go generate value for the United States! Taxpayer Posted December 1, 2006 8:00 AM
• "The next thing you know the Pentagon will hire rehabilitated ex-cons to recruit their fellow alumni for government jobs." Otis you have to be kidding! Some of our most experienced contracting officials are in jail and they would have far better experience than someone that is honest and outside government. Look at the experience of the Air Force contracting officer that stole millions and got 9 months. But don't limit your views to the Pentagon! GSA has its fair share of crooks and criminals with plenty of government experience. Also, let's not overlook Congress: Duke Cunningham should provide a great deal of experience when he gets out, and he is a vet! Otis, I think OPM is overlooking this vast pool of experienced resources but don't you ever believe they will not find it someday! Taxpayer Posted November 30, 2006 7:52 AM