I don't think there are age constraints, you just need to have finished your program within the last two years.

Not sure how that works in practicality, for instance if open spots for PMFs are more geared to early career folks. Anyone?

Can you be a PMF if you are a grad student, but old?

Yes the rules changed. You no longer need to be nominated and you can apply after graduating. Go to PMF website. Good luck

Op again. Thanks for the additional feedback! Glad to hear that at least one agency it's like a typical fed work week and seems viable for a parent.

Re: grade, I had thought PMFs could start between 10-12 and also progress at an accelerated rate, but that could be wrong. I'm not fully familiar with the scale yet.

I have worked with PMFs but didn't move to the area until after I graduated so wasn't eligible for the program. My experience has been mixed, with some of the PMFs being incredibly focused, smart, and capable, and some being disinterested and disillusioned after only a short while. My view is generally positive, though. In our agency, I don't think there's great focus on the PMF program as a career development tool so much as a hiring tool. It's very hard to hire really great employees via the typical competitive hiring process for several reasons, and this is one way to kind of circumvent that. I think it's a great program for both employees and employers.

I came in through a similar but now-defunct hiring program called the Federal Career Intern Program, which has been replaced by the Pathways program. That's another avenue you might look into if you're interested in working for the federal government but can't do PMF.

Anonymous wrote:You must apply/be nominated to apply while in grad school so u Are not eligible.

You can apply after you graduate now. Anyone who graduated in fall 2014 and after would be eligible.

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious to learn how PMFs are viewed by other government workers. I imagine it varies from agency to agency, but I'm interested in a range of experiences.

Those who went through the program, were you sure of what agencies you wanted to end up in? Would it be a good way to get an introduction to govt work for someone unsure what would be the best place to end up, or is a clearer focus necessary for success? The few PMFs I've met have been impressive, but also far more driven and prescribed in what they wanted out of a career than I am.

Is it a viable option for someone with two small kids wanting work/life balance? Are the training programs largely within the work day or on top of it?

Also, how does it being a presidential election year change the job prospects for PMFs? Are agencies ready to hire soon after a transition, or is there a lag? Any advice on going through the process?

I was a PMF about 10 years ago. Certain offices within my agency were aware of the program, others knew nothing about it. In looking for other jobs in the government, I mention it on my resume and sometimes talk about it in my interviews. Again, some are familiar with it, some aren't. So it carries more prestige depending on the office/agency/hiring official. As a PMF, we were definitely treated well in terms of getting special site visits, tours, face time with SES leadership, etc.

I used it to get my foot in the door and to get into my desired job series (financial management), but not necessarily into an agency that I wanted to work at long term. I've since worked at four very different agencies.

It's a viable option for a working parent. You're most likely going to end up in a standard government job working 80 hours a pay period. Training is usually in DC during the day. I did one residential training in WV, but I think I was only away for 1-2 nights. And I'm not sure they even do that any more.

No idea about your last question. I think agency budgets are the most important factor and whether they have money for hiring. Most of the hiring happens during the job fair, which I think is in the spring. You'd think full year appropriations would be enacted by then. From what I've seen there is very limited hiring at other times of the year.

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.

You must apply/be nominated to apply while in grad school so u Are not eligible.

The PMFs are viewed very positively in our agency. Everyone scrambles each year to hire them and they generally have their pick of positions. That is both because the program has a good reputation, and the candidates interview very well.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Glad it's still viewed positively. I'm one year out of grad school, so still eligible. Did grad school part time while working after having been in the field for a while. I'm in my late thirties, though, so I wonder if that would make me much older then those applying who went to grad school much closer to undergrad.

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 is highly competitive and you just can't become a PMF OP unless you are in the process of finishing a grad degree.

I think it is highly competitive and there are good networking opportunities. Looks good on your resume IMO.

I'm curious to learn how PMFs are viewed by other government workers. I imagine it varies from agency to agency, but I'm interested in a range of experiences.

Those who went through the program, were you sure of what agencies you wanted to end up in? Would it be a good way to get an introduction to govt work for someone unsure what would be the best place to end up, or is a clearer focus necessary for success? The few PMFs I've met have been impressive, but also far more driven and prescribed in what they wanted out of a career than I am.

Is it a viable option for someone with two small kids wanting work/life balance? Are the training programs largely within the work day or on top of it?

Also, how does it being a presidential election year change the job prospects for PMFs? Are agencies ready to hire soon after a transition, or is there a lag? Any advice on going through the process?