2012 3L Gov Honors Programs Forum

[Anonymous User]

EPA Region III anyone?

[Anonymous User]

HUD HP handbook says they'll hire something like 5-25; the real number is pending appropriations (or so I was told at my interview at a regional headquarters). I was surprised to have a regional headquarters interview, since hiring decisions are made in D.C.--I was expecting a phone interview.

[Anonymous User]

So what are the exit options like for non-DOJ honors programs?

[Anonymous User]

DHS honors ding via e-mail. Not unexpected, but I would gather that means offers are out for the lucky few.

[Anonymous User]

DHS honors ding via e-mail. Not unexpected, but I would gather that means offers are out for the lucky few.

Did you have an interview?

[Anonymous User]

HUD HP handbook says they'll hire something like 5-25; the real number is pending appropriations (or so I was told at my interview at a regional headquarters). I was surprised to have a regional headquarters interview, since hiring decisions are made in D.C.--I was expecting a phone interview.

yeah, that's their standard procedure.

[Voodoo94]

So what are the exit options like for non-DOJ honors programs?

In this economy, you shouldn't even be thinking about "exit options." Upon completion of these "honors programs", you get converted to a career conditional employee and vest career status after your 3rd year of service. These positions offer a straight shot to GS-14 and a benefits package (e.g. FEHB, 20 days annual leave, subsidized child care) that you will be hard pressed to match - especially coming out of a second tier Federal agency (e.g. HUD or SBA).

Anyone who gets an honors slot should count their blessings and make the most of opportunities within their agency. As you progress, you can also look towards making a lateral move out of the General Counsel path towards a policy/program track. GS-13 is probably the ideal grade to consider making such moves. Legislative Affairs, Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Policy are probably the best initial target positions for this. Most agencies also have leadership development programs for those who aspire to senior management. If this is an area of interest, get information on these opportunities as they are programs intended to groom the next generation of GS-15s and SES'.

The real promotion and leadership opportunities are not found in the General Counsel's office - they are found in program offices. Folks from the 0301 and 0343 Series run the show in most agencies and the 0905 attorneys just play a supporting role doing the legal drudgery that no one else wants to deal with.

[Voodoo94]

So what are the exit options like for non-DOJ honors programs?

In this economy, you shouldn't even be thinking about "exit options." Upon completion of these "honors programs", you get converted to a career conditional employee and vest career status after your 3rd year of service. These positions offer a straight shot to GS-14 and a benefits package (e.g. FEHB, 20 days annual leave, subsidized child care) that you will be hard pressed to match - especially coming out of a second tier Federal agency (e.g. HUD or SBA).

Anyone who gets an honors slot should count their blessings and make the most of opportunities within their agency. As you progress, you can also look towards making a lateral move out of the General Counsel path towards a policy/program track. GS-13 is probably the ideal grade to consider making such moves. Legislative Affairs, Inspector General, Regulatory Affairs and the Office of Policy are probably the best initial target positions for this. Most agencies also have leadership development programs for those who aspire to senior management. If this is an area of interest, get information on these opportunities as they are programs intended to groom the next generation of GS-15s and SES'.

The real promotion and leadership opportunities are not found in the General Counsel's office - they are found in program offices. Folks from the 0301 and 0343 Series run the show in most agencies and the 0905 attorneys just play a supporting role doing the legal drudgery that no one else wants to deal with.

[Anonymous User]

DHS honors ding via e-mail. Not unexpected, but I would gather that means offers are out for the lucky few.

Did you have an interview?

I'm wondering the same thing because I heard that DHS doesn't even send out rejections.

[Anonymous User]

DOT ding by email. 2300 apps. 140 selected (!) for second round interviews to fill 9 slots. Congrats to the lucky winners.

Still baffled by the number of second round interviews though...

[Anonymous User]

DOT ding by email. 2300 apps. 140 selected (!) for second round interviews to fill 9 slots. Congrats to the lucky winners.

Still baffled by the number of second round interviews though...

The amount of second round interviews is completely absurd. Requiring that poor law students already in debt spend substantial amounts of money to fly across the country for a single digit percentage chance of getting a job. Leave it to the Obama administration to find a new way to hurt those that need help the most.

[Anonymous User]

And the worst part is that even if I knew my chances going in, I still would have gone. Spend $500 for a 6% chance of getting a great job with work-life balance and federal benefits? Ok, sure.

[Anonymous User]

Ding! ...Thanks USDOT for the single-digit odds for second round interviews and reducing legal hiring to committee nonsense. F'in $350 plane ticket and massive inconveniences for odds like that? Not everyone who attends law school has Mom and Dad to pay for everything in life.

Boilerplate rejection email saved, haha.

[Anonymous User]

Ding! ...Thanks USDOT for the single-digit odds for second round interviews and reducing legal hiring to committee nonsense. F'in $350 plane ticket and massive inconveniences for odds like that? Not everyone who attends law school has Mom and Dad to pay for everything in life.

Boilerplate rejection email saved, haha.

Uhhh...does this whole system make anyone else sick to their stomach? Their needs to be some expose on this whole honors attorney hiring process. DOT isn't the only agency guilty of doing this.

(someone should send their rejection letter to ATL and encourage them to do a story on the ridiculousness of the process)

[Anonymous User]

It definitely sucks. I was actually happily surprised to even get a second-round interview...albeit with 139 other people. It does seem like a waste of everyone's time/resources though, including theirs. All these rejections/nearly impossible odds have me looking to "nontraditional" jobs for law graduates. I'm finding that other lines of work seem to actually appreciate my law school record and experience. I would recommend that other policy types who get rejected from govt honors programs keep their heads up and cast a wide net.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any news about DOI?

[Anonymous User]

Or from USACE or FDA?

[Anonymous User]

Or from USACE or FDA?

I haven't even gotten a confirmation from the FDA.

[Anonymous User]

Or from USACE or FDA?

USACE told me they might drag things as far as April.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard of anyone getting an offer from the OCC or DoL? I had interviews, but I've heard nothing. Thanks for any info.

[Anonymous User]

Did you have final rounds at OCC and DoL?

[Anonymous User]

Did you have final rounds at OCC and DoL?

Yep, OCC in person in October, DoL did it by phone around then as well. Both were final.

[Anonymous User]

Did you have final rounds at OCC and DoL?

Yep, OCC in person in October, DoL did it by phone around then as well. Both were final.

Did you just have one interview or multiple rounds?

[Anonymous User]

Did you have final rounds at OCC and DoL?

Yep, OCC in person in October, DoL did it by phone around then as well. Both were final.

Did you just have one interview or multiple rounds?

Both were a single round. Please let me know if you've heard of anyone getting offers yet.

[Anonymous User]

Did you have final rounds at OCC and DoL?

Yep, OCC in person in October, DoL did it by phone around then as well. Both were final.

Did you just have one interview or multiple rounds?

Both were a single round. Please let me know if you've heard of anyone getting offers yet.

Haven't heard a thing. Still waters. Someone mentioned that she talked to the lady who interviewed her. Results out by the end of this month at the earliest. This could drag on well into the new year.