Any PMFs out there, or anyone work with Presidential Management Fellows?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a very prestigious program, and PP is right, you apply as you come out of a grad school program including MA, MS, MBA, JD, and other graduate level programs. Tough to get into. I was a PMF twenty years ago, it was the first step in my career.

Work-life is probably dependent on the agency you are with. I was at a place that is known for long hours and they were. I wouldn't want that job now as the parent of a young child. YMMV at another agency.

It WAS a prestigious program 20 years ago when each graduate school could only send their top one or two candidates -- when it was called the PMI. It's not so prestigious now, and I've been less than impressed with most of the PMFs entering my agency. A lot of millennials with entitled attitudes who think the world revolves around them.

If you want to succeed as a PMF, as with anywhere, be willing to work hard and respect experience. The world wasn't invented yesterday and people who've works in the agency for 20 years may know a thing or two that you don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought they pretty much all started at GS-9 and by the end of the two years end up as GS-11, which if you are a mid-career professional may be a pretty low starting point for you OP. I could be wrong on this, so double-check.

Nope. I am hiring a PMF right now as an 11 (but she has work experience between undergrad and grad).

As a manager I love it because I am hiring a pre-screened person and NOT through USAJOBS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is a very prestigious program, and PP is right, you apply as you come out of a grad school program including MA, MS, MBA, JD, and other graduate level programs. Tough to get into. I was a PMF twenty years ago, it was the first step in my career.

Work-life is probably dependent on the agency you are with. I was at a place that is known for long hours and they were. I wouldn't want that job now as the parent of a young child. YMMV at another agency.

It WAS a prestigious program 20 years ago when each graduate school could only send their top one or two candidates -- when it was called the PMI. It's not so prestigious now, and I've been less than impressed with most of the PMFs entering my agency. A lot of millennials with entitled attitudes who think the world revolves around them.

If you want to succeed as a PMF, as with anywhere, be willing to work hard and respect experience. The world wasn't invented yesterday and people who've works in the agency for 20 years may know a thing or two that you don't.

Did you sit down and actually have that conversation with the PMF candidate? I did. I told her exactly what would be expected, showed her the potential grunt work, explained the boring mandatory trainings and what life is like as a Fed. She still accepted but had a realistic view. No complaints about not personally advising the Secretary... "but I thought I would be working in public policy!" Uh, you are, this is how public policy is crafted. Email by pie chart by XL.

[Anonymous]

My husband was a PMF about 2 years ago and secured a job through the program. It's been a great fit for him. He also did grad school part-time while working full-time and entered federal employment in his early 30s. He seems to be in the older half of PMFs but it's certainly not unusual to enter the program with significant professional experience. While majority of PMF positions start at GS-9, he was able to secure GS-11 position to start and finish at GS-13.