October 20th 2023.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced an exciting new program to ensure HBCU students have access to public service opportunities. Bowser has partnered with Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia to create the Public Service Program, which will provide graduating seniors the chance to pursue careers in D.C. Government.
In a press release, Bowser expressed her enthusiasm for the program. She said, “We want the best and the brightest, the people who are passionate about our community, to work at DC Government. We want people to know that they can change the world, one person, one program, and one community at a time, in DC Government.”
The program will convert 25 due-to-hire full-time positions into apprenticeships for the program launching in early 2024. The apprenticeships will remain open for one year for graduating seniors. Participating seniors will start in June 2024 and must be D.C. residents. After completing the one-year program, students will be eligible for a status increase within DC Government.
The i-team has designed a new website, careers.dc.gov, for seniors from these HBCUs interested in the program to apply. The i-team has been working for more than two years to revolutionize the hiring process for District Government roles, making it user-friendly and transparent.
Cities nationwide are taking action to ensure current and future HBCU students have equal opportunities. In Charlotte, North Carolina, guidance counselors are introducing their students to HBCUs to show the value and potential of the institution. Stepfon Portlock, an administrator, shared his experience of working on an HBCU campus and helping connect students. He said, “Finding people that look like you and understand you and can make the most out of what you have can be very pivotal in building confidence, which is what happens in college. I didn’t do it as a student, but I did it as a professional, and it was, you know, some of my fondest memories are working on that campus and helping connect students.”
Mayor Bowser's Public Service Program is a great example of how cities are investing in HBCU students and their future. The program provides a unique opportunity for graduating seniors to pursue careers in D.C. Government and gain the valuable skills needed for success.
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