Students attend fed’s fair

Sept. 11, 2001, changed the landscape of federal employment. From customs to the postal… Sept. 11, 2001, changed the landscape of federal employment. From customs to the postal service, officials at Pittsburgh’s fourth annual Federal Career Day were saying that the attacks on America transformed how their organizations function.

Mark Kuite, of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, said that the NGA has developed a new frame of mind.

“We are getting away from a Cold War-based mentality to looking at moving targets and terrorists,” Kuite said.

Agencies like the NGA developed new jobs to adapt to these changes, such as using satellites to watch for terrorists and observe activities on the borders between nations. The NGA primarily deals with providing support for the military, but also deals with natural disasters, humanitarian aid and homeland security.

Hundreds of business-attire clad job seekers met with 55 government agencies in the William Pitt Union Wednesday to hand out resumes and set up interviews for the following day.

It wasn’t all business as usual, though.

Agencies ranging from the CIA to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs provided job information and answered any questions that eager career-searching students and other job seekers had.

Meghan Barrett, a job seeker and senior at Pitt, learned about many more opportunities.

“I already set up an interview, and I learned a lot more about the Department of Defense, so I have a lot of new places to apply to that I didn’t even know existed,” Barrett said.

Working for the federal government can mean more than your average after-college opportunity, however.

Deidra Connor, a mission support specialist for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said that vigilance and pressure are ever-present on the job.

“We have to counteract the terrorists,” Connor said, adding that if something were to happen, the CBP could be held responsible.

Their agencies include border patrol, customs inspection and immigration inspection. The CBP operates at physical borders, ports and airports, including Pittsburgh International Airport.

Workshops also took place throughout the day Wednesday to teach job hunters how to understand the federal employment process, how to get their resumes noticed and how to obtain federal internships.

Although Pitt originally started the Federal Career Day, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Carlow University and the Heinz School all helped to organize the event this year.

Kevin Mahoney, deputy associate director of the office of personal management and the keynote speaker for the event, told a crowded room that the federal government is anxious to see all of the talent out there that young people have to offer, and he hopes that their involvement in federal jobs and their energy will begin to change the government.

“The government was once a vital place for change. It’s not anymore, and it needs to be to bring more young people back into it,” Mahoney said, noting that this was his own personal opinion.

Joseph Brandt, a postal inspector, said that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has taken a more proactive stance since Sept. 11, 2001.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service normally investigates child pornography, bombs and fraud. It also looks at mail theft and employee crimes.

“[Sept. 11, 2001] pointed out to us that we have to be vigilant against terrorists and other crimes that could be sent through mail,” Brandt said.

But the work does have its perks. Brandt added that travel could be involved with employment in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

“Thieves are very mobile and investigations tend to be far reaching,” Brandt said.