4 tips for government agencies hiring students, recent grads for early career security jobs

It isn’t well known but dozens of U.S. federal government agencies have their own police forces. All have either their own police forces, security personnel, or both. And the same is true with larger government agencies in other countries as well. Students, recent graduates, and other early career candidates should therefore look at working for government agencies if they’re interested in pursuing a career in security, and those same agencies should look at early career candidates to fill those roles.

But it is one thing to say that a government agency should look at early career candidates to fill those roles and something else altogether to tell them how to identify, reach, engage, and hire those candidates. We gathered invaluable advice from hiring leaders, including a security expert and a security management specialist. From highlighting mission-driven career paths to sharing authentic job stories and experiences, here are four key strategies for government agencies who want to attract college students, recent graduates, and others early in their careers.

• Highlight Mission-Driven Career Paths
• Showcase Responsibility and Community Outreach
• Offer Modern Tech and Certification Support
• Share Authentic Job Stories and Experiences

Highlight Mission-Driven Career Paths

As a seasoned security expert with over two decades of experience, I believe the key to attracting college students and recent graduates to security roles within a governmental agency lies in emphasizing the mission-driven nature of the work.

Positioning your agency as a critical player in safeguarding national security and protecting citizens can resonate deeply with their values.

By joining a governmental security agency, they are not just starting a career but committing to a higher calling. This mission-driven approach can inspire and attract passionate, innovative young minds eager to make a difference.

David Sinclair, Security Expert, 4Freedom Mobile

Showcase Responsibility and Community Outreach

Government agencies must ensure that graduates grasp the magnitude of responsibilities and honor that comes with working for the federal government in a security capacity. Not only will candidates be responsible for persons, assets, and infrastructures that are imperative to sustaining the operational backbone of the nation, but they will also strategically exercise preparedness to stay a step ahead of domestic and international threats. 

Aggressors and criminals are getting smarter and more diverse with their tactics each day; it is imperative that the up-and-coming and diverse face of security occupations protecting our nation houses a wider array of acumen to best combat these evolving threats. Government agencies must incorporate more community outreach programs and opportunities with universities, colleges, and civilian organizations to mend whatever gap exists between the federal and aspiring student/civilian level.

Matthew Porcelli, Security Management Specialist

Offer Modern Tech and Certification Support

If you want to attract students to this career, you need to “get it together.” Sure, highlight the upsides like compensation, satisfaction of keeping Americans safe, the benefits (government benefits are always pretty good, am I right?), exciting work, yadda yadda. BUT you need to understand that their choice to work with you is basically the end of their chances to work in the civilian space where the cooler jobs, better pay, and newer tech are going to be. 

WHY?! Because the government (and especially anything DOD/DHA) has never, and likely will never, be an early adopter of new technology. They are 10 years behind at a minimum. So, trying to transition to civilian cybersec companies is literally impossible for someone with 10 years of experience in your environment. Those 10 years make them, at best, an entry-level applicant because they will not have work experience with any of the required things for those jobs. 

But wait…this doesn’t sound attractive when you say it like that. You’re right. So how do we put lipstick on that pig? Either the government needs to get with the times—unlikely—or do something to help give them a fighting chance at other opportunities outside of government environments by paying for any and all technical certifications for them, and/or stop siloing people. Let them all cross-train, so at least they are more versatile. 

You may have a network security guy who is the best of the best but only at the couple of things you let him do, not the other 28 things that he would need to get civilian work. Or find partner companies with big hearts and lots of patience and collaborate with them, and have a rotation where employees get to spend time working with modern and relevant technology in a better-run environment with better forward-thinking leadership than Captain Hindsight at your office. 

The rate of former DOD tech guys that make it into civilian roles is maybe 5% at best. It’s because you silo them and don’t make any effort to keep up with technology. I wish there was an easier answer than telling you that you have to change completely; I know it’s hard and not fun. But if that’s not possible, at least make it worth their while.

Matthew Jones, Senior Technical Recruiter/Recruiting Manager, Padilla Talent

Share Authentic Job Stories and Experiences

People want to know the real situation, what happened, and what the real story is. They crave authenticity. Questions like: What does a typical day look like? What preparation is required? What impact does my role have on others? These are only a few of the questions I consider and discuss with my students. 

We look at a variety of careers, including those that are increasing in demand. Security roles have sparked curiosity among my students. In our discussions, seeing what this looks like in real life is key. 

For a governmental agency, the more you can share about the job, the bigger the impact. I am a storyteller, and I always want to know how people end up where they are. What inspired you? What keeps you going? How do you prepare? What are the options in this line of work? 

The more information you can provide, the better. If students can experience it by shadowing or even a Q&A session, they can relate to it better, and it might just spark curiosity and an interest in a field where people are needed.

Rachelle Dené Poth, Spanish and STEAM Teacher, Consultant, ThriveinEDU LLC