Liberal Arts students travel to Washington, D.C., to explore federal employment

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Sept. 24, a group of ambitious Penn State students embarked on a unique journey to Washington, D.C., for the “Liberal Arts D.C. Trek: Launch Your Federal Career” event. Organized by the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, this event provided an opportunity for students to connect with alumni and federal agency representatives, helping them explore careers in government and public service.

After arriving in Washington, students explored the National Mall, soaking in the capital’s historic landmarks and grabbing lunch on their own before diving into the day’s career-focused sessions.

In the afternoon, students gathered for the “Networking Prep with Alumni” session, where they met those who are now working in public service. This interactive workshop allowed students to practice their elevator pitches and learn about the career journeys of the alumni.

Cameryn Allen, a fourth-year student majoring in psychology, shared her experience during the event.

“I particularly enjoyed the first portion of the day, where we could network with alumni in a relaxed environment,” said the first-generation student from Philadelphia. “It was a great icebreaker before heading into the more formal federal career fair later in the evening.”

Liberal Arts alumni like Anthony Mitchell, founder and managing partner of Engage With Impact, were instrumental in hosting and leading these sessions. Mitchell, who hosted the networking prep event at the City Club of Washington, provided students with insider tips on how to make the most of these connections and stand out in a professional setting.

Mitchell, who graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a degree in political science and double minors in communication arts and sciences and civic and community engagement, shared key advice, encouraging students to embrace networking as an opportunity to explore various career paths in federal agencies and government-adjacent sectors.

“We not only want to help students become interns and fellows in federal organizations — we want to give students a full network of support through Penn State alumni,” Mitchell said.

The final event of the day came in the evening when students attended the “Partnership for Public Service Career Expo.” This career fair featured nearly 20 federal agencies, each eager to share internship and job opportunities. A keynote lecture from a senior United States government official, along with a panel discussion about the partnership’s Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, provided attendees with invaluable insights into navigating federal career paths.

Katy Hogan, director of federal workforce programs at Partnership for Public Service, emphasized the importance of such experiential learning events. Hogan, who manages several federal internship programs, praised the “D.C. Trek” as an irreplaceable experience for students considering government careers.

“Networking and hearing from leaders in government allows students to imagine themselves in those roles,” Hogan said. “It provides exposure to career paths they may have never considered before.”

Hogan also highlighted the GoGovernment website, which houses a comprehensive database of more than 900 federal internships, providing students with an excellent starting point for their career search.

Reflecting on her experience, Allen added, “The event made federal careers feel more accessible. It opened my eyes to opportunities I never knew existed.”

For students like Allen, the “D.C. Trek” served as a stepping stone toward pursuing a federal career. Allen, who also is a mentee in the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program, believes the skills she gained during the event — networking, resume building and interview preparation — will be invaluable as she begins her federal job search.

The day concluded with a bus ride back to Penn State University Park, during which students continued discussing their new insights and next steps in their career journeys. With the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program applications opening soon and the next GoGovernment webinar scheduled for Nov. 14, there are plenty of opportunities for students to turn their trek experience into real-world success.

For students looking to launch their careers in federal service, the “D.C. Trek” offered not just networking opportunities but also real examples of how to build meaningful careers in public service.

Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network

The Career Enrichment Network empowers Liberal Arts students to explore, engage and define their career journey through diverse career development opportunities. Students can meet with a career coach to explore careers, internships, education abroad, research, the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program and more. Through donor support, the Career Enrichment Network provides Liberal Arts students the opportunity to apply for funding to help support participation in many of these experiences.