The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) is the Federal government’s cooperative education, or work-study, program. It was instituted to allow Federal agencies to observe, first-hand, the skills and abilities of a potential employees, and to give participating students an opportunity to gain experience in the public service while pursuing educational goals and shaping career choices. It provides interested and qualified students with the opportunity to gain work experience directly related to their academic program through periodic, paid, on-the-job employment. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an active participant in cooperative education and employs numerous SCEP students in its various programs across the country. Although SCEP students generally attend college on a regular semester or academic quarter schedule, and report to the BLM for work during summer vacation and holiday periods. Traditionally students elect to work on their summer break, however student can alternate school and work. For example, students my work full time or part time any time during the year. Also, there are no limitations on the number of hours a student can work per week, but the student’s work schedule should not interfere with their academic schedule. Duty arrangements my vary according to the availability of the student, location of work or school, and the nature of the work.
During any given year, the recruitment of SCEP Program participants may be carried out on national and local levels; and depending on the availability of funds, the BLM’s adoption of the government-wide cooperative education program may include unique features. In recent years, for example, where the work site is geographically distant form the school, expenses have been paid for travel to and from the job. A comprehensive one-week SCEP Training Academy orientation program has been offered for new program participants, and in some cases, SCEP student have been eligible for tuition assistance. Program participants have been paired with a mentor-- a full-time BLM employee who works in the student’s field of study. While the mentor provides technical advice and guidance related to the work assignments, he or she also assists the SCEP Student in adjusting to the organization and the demands of the world of work. Interested students should check with a recruitment official to determine the features of the current program.
Through its SCEP program , the BLM fosters the success of its cooperative education students through the development of a guided development plan. Under the SCEP Program, the student is either attending class, working at the agency, or a combination of both. The SCEP student, the school, the employing manager, the SCEP Program mentor, and the BLM Human Resources staff work together to accommodate the academic and developmental needs of the student and the related work requirements of the BLM. For more information contact
Tonyua Abrom or visit
http://web.blm.gov/internal/wo-700/wo730/
