The Presidential Management Internship Program
by Nina Segal
What Is a Presidential Management Internship?
Established by Executive Order in 1977, the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program was created to attract outstanding master's degree and doctoral-level students to federal service careers. The two-year program is an excellent developmental opportunity for beginning a career in the nation's government.
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In the year 2001, 623 finalists were chosen from 1800 applications.
Currently, a maximum of 400 PMI appointments can be made annually. The PMI Program has been granted an exception to the current hiring freeze.
As this is a Federal program, you must be a US citizen to apply for a PMI. Opportunities for Federal employment for non-US citizens through the program are extremely limited. Full US citizenship is required for conversion to permanent career employment at the conclusion of the two-year internship
For more information, check out the PMI Program's Web site.
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Unlike other programs, this one provides access to internationally oriented civil service positions. If working for the federal government interests you but the Foreign Service does not, the PMI program is a great way to get into select policy positions with an international scope or focus.
PMIs have worked in multiple international capacities, including the EPA's International Office on global climate change, the US Department of State on political-military affairs, the International Affairs division of the US Department of the Treasury and the Department of Defense. About one third of PMI positions each year provide exposure to and experience in international policy issues.
Who Can Apply for a PMI?
Students who complete a master's or doctoral-level degree from an accredited college or university are eligible to be nominated by the appropriate dean or chair of their graduate program or school. Each degree granting program may nominate up to 10 percent of its total master's and doctoral-level graduates each academic year, or five graduates, whichever number is greater.
PMI lists the following criteria to be considered for nomination:
Demonstrated exceptional academic achievement.
Demonstrated capacity for leadership.
Potential for future professional growth.
Demonstrated commitment to a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs.
The Selection Process
Written applications, which include a resume, must be received by October 31 of the fall prior to graduation. For example, for the next PMI application period, fall 2001, applicants must complete their graduate degree between September 1, 2001, and August 31, 2002. The application is made available to colleges and universities in mid-September or through the PMI Web site.
There is also an oral assessment requirement that takes place in January and February. Selection as a PMI finalist is based on the applicant's performance in the one-day assessment center process. PMI finalists are notified in late March. You may only apply to the program once.
PMI Does Not Equal a Job
PMI finalist status does not automatically guarantee you a job, but it does allow you to apply for certain positions within the government -- it is almost like a passport to certain jobs. The appointment is for two years at a GS-9-level salary, currently about $36,000 annually, plus benefits. Often, based on successful performance, PMIs get promoted to a GS-11 after one year and a GS-12 at the completion of the two-year internship when they are eligible for conversion to career status.
Most government agencies are very enthusiastic about the PMI program and use it as a major recruitment tool. According to Kathy Keeney, director of the program, "There is a sea of change in the composition of the federal workforce, with a lot of retirement expected among all levels of government. Agencies are using PMI as one of the major means to do succession planning for the future."
Career Development
One of the great things about the PMI Program is its strong commitment to career development. As Keeney describes, "The PMI Program has a developmental component that doesn't exist anywhere else…individuals are hired, trained and developed."
Each PMI class receives structured orientation and graduation training programs, and the agencies that hire PMIs commit to seminars, briefings and conferences to provide PMIs with learning opportunities. A unique aspect of the PMI experience is its rotational component -- each PMI is guaranteed at least one rotation out of his or her office, either to another agency, a different division within the agency or to another branch of the government, such as Capitol Hill. If you are in a domestic area, you might be able to do a rotation in your agency's international division.
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