Students & Recent Graduates Employment Opportunities

There are many paths for students and recent graduates to pursue an opportunity with CISA to help protect the homeland from cyber and physical threats. CISA’s internships provide hands-on opportunities to challenge and build technical skills. Join a team of public servants who use their professional and risk advisory acumen every day to adapt and develop innovative ways for protecting the Nation’s physical and cyber infrastructures. 

Opportunities for Enrolled Students 

DHS Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program

Are you a student enrolled in a STEM, IT, Cyber or intelligence degree at a Minority Serving Institute? Consider applying to the DHS Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program! This new program will provide paid opportunities for students to work alongside highly skilled intelligence and cybersecurity professionals at the Department of Homeland Security and CISA. Students will gain hands-on technical experience while participating in training and networking opportunities, as well as have access to mentors who will provide career advice and support. These internships could lead to a full-time position after graduation and bring options for student loan assistance! Recruitment occurs once per year, in the fall. Learn more about the ICDF Program here.

Pathways Intern

Are you an enrolled student? CISA offers paid opportunities to enhance skills and bolster career potential for enrolled students from high school to graduate level. This program is ideal for currently enrolled students who are graduating in the Spring of 2023 or later. CISA will post these announcements in November 2022. CISA offers internships in a wide variety of career areas, including cyber, mission and business support, and human resources. Learn more about the types of internships available at CISA and how to apply. 

CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)

Are you a student who wants to study cybersecurity? Be sure to check out the SFS program, which provides scholarships to students in cyber-related degree programs in exchange for a commitment to employment with government organizations. 

Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to recruit and train the next generation of information technology professionals, industrial control system security professionals, and security managers to meet the needs of the cybersecurity mission for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments. This program provides scholarships for up to three years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate (M.S. or Ph.D.) education. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for the U.S. Government, in a position related to cybersecurity, for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

How to Apply:

Students must be enrolled in a cyber-degree seeking program at one of the participating institutions. Once enrolled, students will work with the on-campus Principal Investigator to apply for the scholarship. More information is available at www.sfs.opm.gov.

Opportunities for Recent Graduates

Cybersecurity Talent Initiative (CTI)

The Cybersecurity Talent Initiative (CTI) is the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership aimed at recruiting and training a world-class cybersecurity workforce. Co-sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service, the program is a selective opportunity for recent graduates of cybersecurity-related fields to gain vital public and private sector work experience and even receive student loan assistance. CTI participants work full time for 2 years in the federal government. Before the end of their federal service, participants are invited to apply for full-time positions with the program’s private sector partners, or they may choose to remain in the federal government with promotion potential. By working for some of the most important federal organizations and cutting-edge private sector companies, participants develop the skills and knowledge needed to protect our country’s digital infrastructure and tackle global cybersecurity threats. Learn more and apply via the Cybersecurity Talent Initiative website.

Pathways Recent Graduates

Have you just graduated from college? Congrats!! CISA offers paid developmental experiences intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. This program is ideal for those graduating in Fall/Winter 2022, or Spring 2023, or who have graduated within the last two years. Learn more about the Recent Graduate opportunities available at CISA and how to apply.

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF)

Are you close to finishing your advanced college degree? Consider applying to the PMF program, the Federal Government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates.  

The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program was established by Executive Order in 1977 and represents an innovative approach to meet the government’s future need for administrators and managers. This program is for individuals who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years. An individual may apply for the PMF program more than once as long as he or she meets the eligibility criteria.   

Graduates with advanced degrees (i.e. professional or graduate degree (e.g., Master's, Ph.D., J.D.) who are nominated as PMF Finalists may enter a two-year fellowship in the Federal excepted service. Fellows represent high caliber graduates of their schools and are expected to possess a personal commitment to excellence, a strong capacity for leadership, exceptional ability evidenced through achievement, and a demonstrated commitment to a public service career. PMFs develop skills through challenging work assignments and by utilizing Individual Development Plans, mentors, and formal interactive training.

How to Apply:

Applications are accepted once per year. Program eligibility and application information is available at www.pmf.gov. 

Benefits & Perks 

CISA offers a variety of benefits* and perks for interns and recent graduates. 

• Exciting, challenging, and innovative work that includes goal-oriented projects, networking and leadership opportunities, recognition, teamwork and camaraderie
• Flexible work schedules to include telework, and both casual and professional work environments
• Competitive salaries, annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays
• Comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term care insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), thrift savings plans (TSP) and retirement plans
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave plus programs and resources for parents
• Up to three hours of paid leave per week, to engage in health and wellness activities
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• SmartBenefits®—a monthly transit benefits subsidy
• Education and development opportunities such as mentoring programs, leadership programs, and sponsored graduate degree programs

*Some benefits are not available for time-limited, summer, or volunteer interns.