Hiring Government Programs Currently under Consideration

As you may have notice, during the last couple of years, OPM has been working very hard with agencies to reform the Federal hiring process. On May 11, 2010, President Obama issued a memorandum to agencies, directing them to implement several important changes to the overall hiring approach that have moved the Federal Government to a more streamlined, resume-based system. In addition, President Obama issued executive orders launching the Veterans Employment Initiative and the initiative to employ people with disabilities.

The next step in reforming the Federal hiring process involves students and recent graduates. The Federal Government has had trouble competing with other sectors in recruiting and hiring students and recent graduates. To address these difficulties, President Obama signed Executive Order 13562, entitled "Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates," on December 27, 2010. This executive order establishes the Pathways Programs, consisting of three excepted-service programs tailored to recruit, hire, develop, and retain students and recent graduates. As directed by the executive order, OPM issued a proposed Pathways rule to improve recruiting efforts, offer clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provides meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal service. The proposed rule includes the following three programs: the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program, and a reinvigorated Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program.

Proposed Internship Program
Director Berry talks with students at the DC Robotics Regional Competition.
The Internship Program is for current students. It would replace the existing Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). The proposed Internship Program is targeted towards students enrolled in a wide variety of different types of educational institutions, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school.To find out more about the proposed Internship Program, go to the Program Summaries webpage.

Proposed Recent Graduates Program

This proposed new program would target individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree or certificate completion). For more information about Federal employment information for veterans, go to OPM's Feds Hire Vets website. Successful applicants would be placed in a dynamic, two-year career development program. To find out more about the proposed Recent Graduates Program, go to the Program Summaries webpage.

Proposed Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

For more than three decades, the PMF Program has been the Federal Government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. Executive Order 13562 expands the eligibility window for applicants, making it more "student friendly" by aligning it with academic calendars and allowing those who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding 2 years to participate. It also directs OPM to set eligibility requirements and minimum qualification standards, and to make changes in order to make the PMF experience more robust and substantive for participants.To find out more about the proposed changes to the PMF Program, go to the Program Summaries webpage.

Stay competitive: Sharpen your own job skills!

If last year was a series of highs and lows, then this year will be another mixed picture.

According to the Department of Commerce, GDP Data shows that the U.S. economy will grow 2%-2.3% in 2012, faster than the 1.7% expansion in 2011 but short of the pace needed to significantly lower the unemployment rate. In the public sector, the Department of Labor's employment data tells us that the U.S. economy created an average of 245,000 jobs a month from December through February, the best three months since 2006!

Saying that, uncertainty keeps federal and private sector employers focused on the bottom line and wanting maximum productivity from you. Employees and candidates alike should do their research before leaving a job or accepting a new role.

If you get disgruntled because your employer is expecting more for less, ask friends and contacts in your sector what is going on in their organization before you hand in your resignation. In terms of working for the government, you might find that some agencies are cost cutting and limiting expenses employee development and training or you could find out that certain agencies are managing for growth and investing in their employees. That is where you want to be.

When looking at the websites of potential employers, check their claims around training, promoting from within, paid parental leave, commitment to diversity and even wellness programs. Spending on any people programs is good news. Even if you don't find an employer willing to spend on you, invest in yourself.

According to Bloomberg News, the number of positions waiting to be filled in 2012 has climbed to levels last seen in 2008, when the jobless rate was around 6 percent. The housing bust and ensuing financial crisis put people out of work whose skills may not correspond with those needed by the health care providers and engineering firms where jobs go wanting.

"What's going on here is a mismatch of the skills of the unemployed and at least some of the positions that are becoming available," said Maki, chief U.S. economist at Barclays Capital in New York. "This seems to be slowing the pace of filling those job openings."

Manpower's 2011 Talent Shortage Survey, issued in May, showed 52 percent of companies polled said they found it more difficult to find qualified help. That was up from 14 percent in 2010 and the highest percentage in the survey's six-year history.

You need to show on your resume that you have progressed so consider even a short course, an online certification or getting involved with an industry or professional association. Every angle counts. Use vacations or even the upcoming spring break to review what you've been up to over the past year, identify areas where you need to skill up and set some goals. In the meantime, have a wonderful spring break and a great summer.

News Alert: FTC Stops Scheme That Falsely Promised Federal Jobs

Defendants Allegedly Sold Job Seekers Exam Prep Services for Non-Existent Vacancies

The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Arizona halted an operation that took consumers' money by allegedly holding out false claims that it could help them get a job with the federal government. A settlement, reached as part of the FTC's ongoing efforts to protect consumers in financial distress (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/reporter/finance/lastdollar.shtml), permanently bans the defendants from selling employment-related products or services.

According to the complaint against Government Careers Inc. (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/02/bottomdollar.shtm), Richard Friedberg, and Rimona Friedberg, the defendants falsely told people they could get federal jobs if they paid $119 for study materials that would help them pass an exam, even though in many cases there were no exams for the jobs or there were no jobs. The defendants also charged consumers $965 for career counseling services, such as resume editing and employment exam preparation, and demanded advance payment, even after stating that consumers would not have to pay the fee until they got a government job.

The complaint further alleged that Government Careers marketed its services by advertising on job search websites such as Careerbuilder.com or Yahoo! Hot Jobs and in local newspapers. Its ads looked like postings for "Postal Jobs," "Wildlife Jobs," "Border Patrol [agents]," or "Administrative Support and Clerical" jobs. The court temporarily halted the operation, pending resolution of the case.
The settlement order's (http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0923186/120308govcareersorder.pdf) ban on
selling employment-related services will take effect six months after all parties have signed it, allowing time for a possible sale of a separate business owned by Richard Friedberg and Rimona Friedberg, Career Systems LLC, also known as Job Search Network LLC.

In addition to banning the defendants from marketing employment products or services, the order permanently prohibits them from misrepresenting any goods or services, failing to disclose material facts about any goods or services, and violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. It also bars them from selling or otherwise benefitting from customers' personal information, and from failing to properly dispose of such information as provided in the order. The order imposes a $363,761 judgment that will be suspended. The full judgment will become due immediately if the defendants are found to have misrepresented their financial condition.
The Commission vote approving the proposed settlement order was 4-0. It is subject to court approval. The FTC filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

NOTE: This proposed order is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendants that the law has been violated. Settlement orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

To learn how to avoid these kinds of scams, read the FTC's Federal and Postal Job Scams: Tip-offs to Rip-offs (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt013.shtm).

Featured Federal Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to people overseas struggling to make a better life. It is a history that both advances U.S. foreign policy interests as well as reflects the American people's compassion and support of human dignity.

On Nov. 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It was the first U.S. foreign assistance organization whose primary emphasis was on long-range economic and social development assistance to foreign countries. Though this new agency was born during a time of social, political and economic upheaval around the globe, USAID's origins were planted shortly after World War II ended in 1945.

USAID provides assistance in five regions of the world:

• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Asia
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Europe and Eurasia
• The Middle East

USAID is a great place to put your skills, education, and expertise to use if you want to work on the front lines of some of the most pressing global challenges of our times -- poverty, hunger, injustice, disease, environmental degradation, climate change, and violent extremism. Working for this far reaching agency, you will have many opportunities to develop new skills and to make lasting contributions to economic, political and social development around the globe.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, USAID has offices in more than 70 countries around the globe. In all, there are about 8,000 employees worldwide, including 1,200 Civil Service employees and 500 Foreign Service Officers based in Washington, 800 Foreign Service Officers deployed overseas, 5,000 locally-hired employees working in our overseas missions, plus about 500 others working under other hiring mechanisms. The diversity of USAID’s workforce is a key aspect of its corporate culture both domestically and abroad. The success of the organization depends on a multicultural workforce and employees must work effectively with diverse global customers, stakeholders, and partners. To deliver quality programs abroad, USAID ensures a work environment in which each employee values the diversity, experience, and contributions of others.

USAID employs individuals through the following career and non-career mechanisms. Each is described in more detail below:

• Civil Service
• Foreign Service
• Foreign Service Junior Officer Program
• Foreign Service Limited Appointments
• Foreign Service Nationals
• Fellows Programs
• Internship Programs
• General Counsel
• Inspector General
• Personal Services Contractors
• Senior Executive Service
• Third Country Nationals

Civil Service (CS)

Civil Service employees work in the Washington DC Headquarters and provide policy direction and program and operational support for our programs worldwide. CS employees perform inherently governmental functions, including accountability and oversight of more than $10 billion in foreign assistance funds annually; the development and execution of strategies, policies, budgets and programs in a range of development sectors and countries; acquisition and assistance; knowledge management; and collaboration with key stakeholders in other U.S. government agencies, the private and non-profit sectors, and other development agencies.

More about Civil Service positions at USAID

Foreign Service (FS)

Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) are the core staff of USAID’s overseas offices (called “missions”) and provide shape and forward momentum to country and regional programs. FSOs apply both technical knowledge and a variety of program design, management and evaluation expertise to ensure that foreign assistance programs achieve foreign policy objectives and meet the needs of partners in a cost effective manner. FSOs work directly with the governments and people of the countries in which they serve and collaborate with other USG agencies, other development agencies and non-governmental partners.

More about Foreign Service positions at USAID

Junior Officer (JO) Program

USAID seeks to recruit new Foreign Service Officers through the Junior Officer (JO) Program. The JO program is designed to prepare Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for tenure through an individually adapted training program. The total training program will be up to three years, with six to 18 months in Washington D.C. and approximately 24 months of rotational assignments at an overseas office. All JOs must meet USAID foreign language tenuring requirements before departing for assignment overseas.

More about the Junior Officer (JO) Program at USAID

Foreign Service Limited (FSL) Appointments

Foreign Service Limited (FSL) officers are hired for term-limited appointments to the U.S. Foreign Service to meet specific high-priority program needs in Washington and overseas. Appointments may be for periods of up to five years. USAID is currently recruiting for a number of term limited appointments in a variety of technical areas.

More about Foreign Service Limited (FSL) employment opportunities at USAID

Foreign Service Nationals (FSN)

Many of the positions at USAID Missions overseas are filled by national citizens recruited from within the host country. Unless otherwise specified, these positions are reserved for host country national citizens. FSN vacancies are advertised locally in national newspapers and other media outlets. To apply for a position, please follow instructions as described within the vacancy announcement.

More about Foreign Service Nationals (FSN) at USAID

Fellows Programs

The Fellows Programs are designed to benefit both USAID and the Fellow. They provide USAID with fresh ideas, energy and the latest state-of-the-art technical knowledge, as Fellows often bring specific expertise in areas that are underrepresented by the agency's U.S. direct hire employees. Fellowship programs are also a mechanism by which USAID increases its outreach to partners, NGOs/PVOs, universities, and other donors. As a Fellow, you can help jumpstart your career by obtaining an excellent introduction to development issues and development institutions, gaining visibility in the donor community, and receiving insights into career choices at a critical time in their professional development.

More about the Fellows Programs at USAID

Presidential Management Fellows Programs

For over 30 years, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program, formerly known as the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program, has been utilized by federal agencies to attract outstanding graduate students from a wide variety of academic disciplines to public service. Recognized as one of the most prestigious and effective training and development programs available in the Federal Government, the PMF Program hones the skills and competencies, as well as cultivates the management and leadership potential, of the Fellows by providing them with a two-year fellowship that includes formal classroom training and rotational assignment opportunities.

Among federal agencies, USAID is one of the top participants in the PMF Program and possesses one of the most sought-after PMF Programs. To apply for this highly competitive fellowship, you must be nominated by a dean, director, or chairperson of your graduate academic program and submit an application. All applicants nominated by their schools and found eligible for the PMF Program are then invited to participate in an assessment process sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management during January and February following the application period to determine which nominees will be selected as finalists. After taking the assessment exam, nominees are notified as to whether they have qualified as finalists. Finalists are then eligible to apply for PMF positions and are invited to participate in an OPM organized job fair in the spring.

If selected for employment by USAID, the PMF appointment begins after successful completion of graduate degree requirements and a security clearance background investigation. Through rotational assignments. fellows will receive the opportunity to work in other offices, bureaus, overseas embassies/consulates, agencies, and even in other branches of government. Upon the successful completion of the two-year fellowship, fellows become eligible for conversion to a permanent position in the competitive service and obtain career or career-conditional status.

More detailed information, including nomination guidelines, forms and deadlines

Internship Programs

Paid and Volunteer Student Interns

Student Intern vacancies are posted on this site when opportunities are available. Please review the vacancies along with additional qualifications and apply to any that interest you by e-mailing the contact person(s) listed. Send a resume, cover letter of your interest and possible dates of involvement.

More about volunteer and paid Student Internship Programs at USAID

General Counsel Internships

Legal interns work with an Assistant General Counsel and one or more of the staff lawyers within one of the ten divisions of the General Counsel's Office. These divisions are: Africa; Asia and the Near East; Europe and Eurasia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Global Assistance; Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance; Litigation and Enforcement; Contract and Commodity Management; Legislation and Policy; and Ethics and Administration.

More about General Counsel Internships at USAID

Africa Bureau Internships

USAID's Africa Bureau expects to have a limited number of summer internships available in a few of its overseas missions in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Washington, D.C. This is an excellent opportunity for outstanding students interested in pursuing careers in international development. Students desiring internships in Francophone Africa must be proficient in French. Students desiring internships in Lusophone Africa must be proficient in Portuguese or Spanish. Flexibility, initiative, enthusiasm, good interpersonal skills and lots of energy are also desired. Computer skills are a necessity.

Normally, the internship period is June 15-August 15, although this is negotiable. Selected students must be able to stay the duration of the internship as determined by the sponsoring mission or Washington, DC office. Final decisions on placement will be made in light of the candidate pool and USAID mission priorities at the time of candidate selection. As with all federal agencies, USAID is an equal opportunity employer.

More about Africa Bureau Internships at USAID

Legislative & Public Affairs Internship Opportunities in International Development (LPA)

LPA directs the Agency's communications strategy and policies; is responsible for positioning, messaging and branding; develops outreach and educational programs; leads the Agency's online marketing strategy and manages the external website; and produces events and promotional products to generate support for USAID's mission. Interns will be working on various projects related to the LPA mission (congressional, strategic communications, multimedia, publications, website, public liaison, public diplomacy, press; and special events and protocol). The internship is full-time with flexible hours.

More about Legislative & Public Affairs Internship Opportunities in International Development (LPA) at USAID

Global Health

The Bureau for Global Health (GH) supports field health programs, advances research and innovation in selected areas relevant to overall Agency health objectives, and transfers new technologies to the field through its own staff work, coordination with other donors, and a portfolio of grants and contracts with an annual budget in excess of $1.6 billion. Global health issues have global consequences that not only affect the people of developing nations but also directly affect the interests of American citizens. Interns are recruited each summer to support the Bureau.

More about Global Health Internships at USAID

General Counsel

The Office of the General Counsel (GC) provides legal advice, counsel, and services to the Agency and its officials and ensures that USAID programs are administered in accordance with legislative authorities. Attorneys advise on legal matters arising in the operation and administration of USAID programs, and on matters relating to legislation or proposed legislation affecting USAID. GC provides advice and guidance on congressional investigation and determines what legal courses of action are appropriate for the Agency. GC also maintains liaisons with other government organizations to provide advice or assistance in interpreting or applying the legal authorities of the Agency and represents USID in connection with legal matters affecting it.

More about the Office of the General Counsel (GC) at USAID

Inspector General

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for providing audit and investigative services to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the African Development Foundation (ADF), and the Inter-American Foundation (IAF). USAID's Inspector General is responsible for keeping the head of the respective client organization and the Congress fully informed about problems and deficiencies in the organization's programs and operations, as well as the necessity for, and progress of, corrective actions.

More about employment opportunities with the Office of Inspector General at USAID

Personal Services Contractors (PSC)

USAID does business through a variety of available federal mechanisms. Personal Services Contractors (PSC) are individual contractors, characterized by an employer-employee relationship between the Government and the contractor. The contractor is treated very much like the direct hire staff, frequently performing the same or similar work. USAID hires PSCs to work in a variety of fields both in USAID/Washington and in USAID Missions worldwide serving as program officers, project development officers, technical officers, controllers and, occasionally, as USAID principal officers.

More about Personal Services Contractors at USAID

Senior Executive Service

Senior Executives work in managerial, supervisory and public policy-making positions above the GS-15 Civil Service level. For these leadership positions, you must possess the essential qualifications to succeed in the 21st century. Executive core qualifications include leading change, leading people, being results-driven, having business acumen and building coalitions/communications. A variety of professional occupations are represented.

More about the Senior Executive Service at USAID

Third Country Nationals (TCNs)

Third Country Nationals (TCNs) are individual contractors from countries other than the U.S. or the country in which they serve. The TCN mechanism is characterized by an employer-employee relationship that exists between the U.S. Government and the contractor. TCNs frequently are employed by USAID missions and may have previously been employed as a Foreign Service National; they are often particularly well versed in the ways of Agency operations. The TCN contractor is treated very much like the direct hire staff, frequently performing the same or similar work. Opportunities for Third Country National personal services contractors are publicized at FedBizOpps, and not on the Agency's website.

Contact USAID Directly

Via U.S. Mail
USAID
Office of Human Resources, Room 2.8
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W
Washington, District of Columbia 20523
US
Fax: 202-216-3031
Via E-mail
careers@usaid.washington.gov

For additional assistance with Federal Career Advice, visit www.dreamfedjob.com

Featured Career Path: Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services

Significant Points

• This industry is projected to be the fastest growing, with employment increasing 83 percent over the 2008–18 period, and is one of the highest paying.
• Job competition will remain keen; the most educated and experienced workers will have the best job prospects.
• About 73 percent of workers have a bachelor's or higher degree; 62 percent of all jobs are in managerial, business, financial, and professional occupations.

Nature of the Industry

Firms that offer management, scientific, and technical consulting services influence how businesses, governments, and institutions make decisions. Often working behind the scenes, these firms offer technical expertise, information, contacts, and tools that clients cannot provide themselves. They then work with their clients to provide a service or solve a problem.

Goods and services

Usually, one of the resources that consulting firms provide to clients is expertise—in the form of knowledge, experience, special skills, or creativity; another resource is time or personnel that the client cannot spare. Clients include large and small companies in the private sector; Federal, State, and local government agencies; institutions, such as hospitals, universities, unions, and nonprofit organizations; and foreign governments or businesses.

The management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry is diverse. Almost anyone with expertise in a given area can enter consulting. Management consulting firms advise on almost every aspect of corporate operations: marketing; finance; corporate strategy and organization; manufacturing processes; information systems and data processing; electronic commerce (e-commerce) or business; human resources, including benefits and compensation; and many others. Scientific and technical consulting firms provide technical advice relating to almost all nonmanagement organizational activities, including compliance with environmental and workplace safety and health regulations, the application of technology, and the application of sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics.

Industry organization

Larger consulting firms usually provide expertise in a variety of areas, whereas smaller consulting firms generally specialize in one area of consulting. Administrative management and general management consulting services firms, for example, offer advice on an organization's day-to-day operations, such as budgeting, asset management, strategic and financial planning, records management, and tax strategy.

A manufacturing firm building a new factory might seek the help of management consultants to determine in which geographic location it would incur the lowest startup costs. A family opening a new restaurant might hire a management consulting firm to help develop a business plan and provide tax advice. Management consulting firms also might advise clients in the implementation and use of the latest office technology or computer programs that could increase office productivity. Some clients might turn to management consulting firms to manage the financial aspects of their business. Management consultants also may provide insight into why a division of the company is not profitable or may recommend an investment strategy that meets the client's needs.

Effective management of a client's human capital is the primary work of consulting firms that offer human resources consulting services. Firms that focus on this area advise clients on effective personnel policies, employee salaries and benefits, employee recruitment and training, and employee assessment. A client with high employee turnover might seek the help of a human resources consulting firm in improving its retention rate. Human resources consulting firms also might be asked to help determine the appropriate level of employer and employee contributions to healthcare and retirement plans. Increasingly, firms are outsourcing, or contracting out, the administrative functions of their human resources division to human resources consulting firms that manage timekeeping and payroll systems and administer employee benefits.

One human resources consulting specialty is executive search consulting or executive recruiting. Firms in this industry often are referred to as "headhunters." Executive search consulting firms are involved in locating the best candidates for top-level management and executive positions. Clients hire executive recruiters in order to save time and preserve confidentiality. Executive search firms keep a large database of executives' resumes and search this database for clients in order to identify candidates who would likely complement their client's corporate culture and strategic plan.

Information on these candidates is then submitted to the clients for their selection. Executive search consulting firms also might conduct prescreening interviews and reference and background checks. Some executive search consulting firms specialize in recruiting for a particular industry or geographic area, while others conduct general searches.

Marketing consulting services firms provide assistance to firms in areas ranging from product development to customer service. They may advise on marketing new products, pricing new and existing products (to maximize sales and profit), forecasting sales, planning and implementing a marketing strategy, and improving customer service to help the firm's overall image. A pharmaceutical firm, for example, might seek advice as to whether it should remove a drug from the market, or a retail clothing chain might seek advice regarding the most effective way to market and sell its clothes—in a direct-mail or online catalog or over the telephone. Clients also might seek the help of a marketing consultant to set up business franchises or license their products.
Another specialty within management consulting is process, physical distribution, and logistics consulting services. Firms in this industry specialize in the production and distribution of goods, from the first stages of securing suppliers to the delivery of finished goods to consumers. Such firms give advice on improvements in the manufacturing process and productivity, product quality control, inventory management, packaging, order processing, the transportation of goods, and materials management and handling.
A domestic manufacturing firm might hire a logistics consulting firm to calculate shipping rates and import duties for goods being exported or to determine the most cost-effective method of shipping products. Consulting firms in this segment of the industry also advise on the latest technology that links suppliers, producers, and customers together to streamline the manufacturing process. Finally, these consulting firms might suggest improvements to the manufacturing process in order to use inputs better, increase productivity, or decrease the amount of excess inventory.

Some management consulting firms specialize in a particular business process; others provide a range of business services specific to one industry, such as healthcare. Many professionals—for example, doctors—are highly skilled in the technical aspects of their job, but lack the business expertise to manage their practice effectively. Management consultants advise these clients regarding issues such as staff recruitment, compensation and benefits, asset management, marketing, and other business operations.

Some management consultants offer advice on matters pertaining directly to the industry in question. For instance, management consultants for the healthcare industry may advise on compliance with biohazard removal and patient confidentiality regulations, avoidance of malpractice suits, and methods of dealing with managed care and health insurance companies. Industries such as legal services, telecommunication, and utilities also have consulting firms that specialize in industry-specific issues.
Scientific and technical consulting services firms provide services similar to those offered by management consulting firms, but the information is not management related. One of the largest specialties in scientific and technical consulting services is environmental consulting services.

Environmental consulting firms identify and evaluate environmental problems, such as the presence of water contaminants, and offer solutions, often after inspecting the sites. Some firms in this segment of the industry advise clients about controlling the emissions of environmental pollutants, cleaning up contaminated sites, establishing a recycling program, and complying with government environmental laws and regulations. A real estate developer, for example, might hire an environmental consulting firm to help design and develop property without damaging natural habitats, such as wetlands. A manufacturing or utilities firm might hire environmental consultants to assess whether the firm is meeting government emissions standards, in order to avoid penalties before government regulators inspect the property in question. Finally, many government agencies contract work out to environmental consulting firms to assess environmental contamination in a particular geographic area or to evaluate the costs and benefits of new regulations.
Occupational safety consulting services firms provide services similar to those offered by other private businesses and some government agencies, identifying workplace safety hazards and ensuring that employers are in compliance with government worker safety regulations. Safety consulting firms might help plan a safe and healthy environment for workers, identify hazardous materials or systems that may cause illness or injury, assess safety risks associated with machinery, investigate accidents, and assess the likelihood of lawsuits resulting from safety code violations.

For example, a manufacturing firm building a new plant may seek the advice of a safety consulting firm about how to build equipment and design the building layout in order to increase workplace safety and reduce human error. Or a restaurant may look to a safety consultant to develop occupational safety and health systems for employees, such as slip-resistant floors and shoes. Some safety consulting firms might specialize in a particular type of hazardous material, while others might specialize in a particular industry, such as construction, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, or food processing. As with environmental consulting firms, many government agencies contract out work to safety consulting firms for help with safety engineering, technical projects, and various kinds of assessment.

Security consulting, by contrast, seeks to ensure the safety and security of an organization's physical and human assets that may be threatened by natural or human-made disasters. Clients might hire security consulting firms to assess a building's security needs. The firms then may recommend protecting the building against theft and vandalism by installing security cameras, hiring security guards, and providing employee background checks. Other security consultants study a building's design and recommend measures to protect it from damage from fires, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, or acts of terrorism. Security consultants also may recommend emergency evacuation procedures in the event that such disasters occur. Increasingly, clients are hiring security consulting firms to protect their confidential computer records against hackers and viruses. Recently, government agencies have hired security consulting firms to advise them on how to protect national monuments and the national transportation, utility, and defense infrastructure—airports, bridges, nuclear reactor plants, water treatment plants, and military barracks—against terrorism.

Scientific and technical consulting firms also advise on a diverse range of issues relating to the physical and social sciences—issues having to with agriculture, biology, chemistry, economics, energy, and physics. Agricultural consulting firms might advise on different farming techniques or machinery that increases agricultural production. Economic consultants might develop forecasting models and advise clients about the potential for a recession or an increase in interest rates that could affect business decisions. Energy consultants might advise clients on how to reduce costs by implementing energy-saving machinery. Finally, biological, chemical, and physics consultants might give theoretical or applied expertise in those fields.

Recent developments

Management, scientific, and technical consulting has grown rapidly over the past several decades, with businesses increasingly using consulting services. Hiring consultants is advantageous because these experts are experienced, are well trained, and keep abreast of the latest technologies, government regulations, and management and production techniques. In addition, consultants are cost effective, because they can be hired temporarily and can perform their duties objectively, free of the influence of company politics.

Working Conditions

Hours. In 2008, nonsupervisory workers in the industry averaged 35.0 hours per week, slightly higher than the national average of 33.6. However, many consultants must meet hurried deadlines, a requirement that frequently entails working long hours in stressful environments. Consultants whose services are billed hourly often are under pressure to manage their time very carefully. Occasionally, weekend work also is necessary, depending upon the job that is being performed.

Work environment. Working conditions in management, scientific, and technical consulting services are generally similar to those of most office workers operating in a team environment. The work is rarely hazardous, with a few exceptions—for example, for environmental or safety consultants who inspect sites for contamination from hazardous materials.

In addition, some projects might require many executives and consultants to travel extensively or to live away from home for extended periods. However, new technology—such as laptop computers, with remote access to the firm's computer server, and videoconferencing machines—allow some consultants to work from home or conduct meetings with clients in different locations, reducing some of the need for business travel.

Most firms encourage employees to attend employer-paid time-management classes. The classes teach participants to reduce the stress sometimes associated with working under strict time constraints. Also, with today's hectic lifestyle, many firms in this industry offer or provide health facilities or clubs that employees may use to maintain good health.

Occupations in the Industry

Most management, scientific, and technical consulting services are fairly specialized; still, the industry comprises a variety of occupations . Some, such as environmental engineers, are specific to only one segment of the industry, whereas others, such as secretaries and administrative assistants, can be found throughout the industry.

Compared with other industries, the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry has a relatively high proportion of highly educated workers. About 73 percent have a bachelor's degree, compared with 32 percent of workers throughout the economy. Around 32 percent have a master's or higher degree, compared with 11 percent of workers throughout the economy. Certain jobs may have stringent entry requirements. For example, some management consulting firms prefer to hire only workers who have a master's degree in business administration (MBA). Other positions can be attained only after many years of related experience.

In management, scientific, and technical consulting services, 62 percent of employment consists of workers in management, business, and financial operations occupations and in professional and related occupations. These same occupational groups account for about 31 percent of workers across the entire economy. These groups of workers comprise a disproportionate share of jobs in the industry because workers with education and experience in business management and workers with scientific, engineering, and other technical backgrounds conduct most of the consulting work in this industry.
Management, business, and financial operations occupations.

Top executives, the largest managerial occupation in the industry, includes both the highest level managers—such as chief executive officers and vice presidents—and many top managers with diverse duties. In consulting firms, top executives with partial ownership and profit-sharing privileges might be referred to as partners. Top-level managers or partners shape company policy, often with the help of other executives or a board of directors. They oversee all activities of the firm, coordinate the duties of subordinate executives and managers, and often bear ultimate responsibility for a firm's performance. Mid-level managers or partners may oversee all the activities of one department or all the activities of one or more clients.

Management analysts, also called management consultants, make up the largest occupation in the management consulting industry. Their work is quite varied, depending on the nature of the project and the client's needs. In general, management consultants study and analyze business-related problems, synthesizing information from many sources, and recommend solutions. The solutions can include overhauling a client's computer systems, offering early retirement incentives to middle managers, recommending a switch in health plans, improving just-in-time inventory systems, hiring public relations firms, or selling troublesome parts of businesses. Because of the varied nature of these jobs, firms hire workers with diverse backgrounds, such as backgrounds in engineering, finance, actuarial science, chemistry, or business.

Many firms require consultants to have an MBA, whereas others hire workers who have no more than a bachelor's degree. Many workers have experience in other industries prior to entering management consulting work.

Other management and business and financial operations occupations include administrative services managers, who typically administer a consulting firm's support services. These managers oversee secretaries, data entry keyers, bookkeepers, and other clerical staff. In the management consulting services industry, they also often supervise a client's clerical and support staff and do consulting work in that area.

Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers oversee the consulting firm's marketing and sales departments, researching and targeting new clients and also helping out with consulting projects having to do with marketing.

Computer and information systems managers ensure that the consulting firm's computer and network systems are fully operational and oversee other computer and technical workers, such as computer support specialists. These managers also might also supervise certain consulting projects involving computer and information technology.

Financial managers prepare financial statements and assess the financial health of firms. Often, they must have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists supervise the activities of a consulting firm's human resources department, managing personnel records, payroll, benefits, and employee recruitment and training.

These managers also might also supervise projects for clients in the human resources consulting industry. In scientific and technical consulting firms, engineering and natural sciences managers oversee the engineers and scientists working for their consulting firms.

Accountants and auditors monitor firms' financial transactions and often report to financial managers. More recently, accountants and auditors have been involved in consulting projects having to do with the preparation of financial statements, tax strategy, budget or retirement planning, and the implementation of accounting software.

Professional and related occupations. Workers in professional and related occupations are employed mainly in the scientific and technical consulting portion of the industry. Many of these workers are engineers and scientists who use their expertise in consulting. For example, environmental engineers and environmental scientists and geoscientists are employed by environmental consulting firms to evaluate environmental damage or assess compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Other engineers, such as agricultural, biomedical, chemical, mining and geological, nuclear, and petroleum engineers; and physical and life scientists, such as agricultural and food scientists, biological scientists, chemists, materials scientists, and physicists and astronomers, are employed by consulting firms specializing in their scientific disciplines. Architects and civil and industrial engineers are sometimes employed by safety and security consulting firms to assess the construction of structures such as buildings and bridges and to make recommendations regarding reinforcing these structures against damage.

The rapid spread of computers and information technology has generated a need for highly trained computer specialists to design and develop new hardware and software systems and to incorporate new technologies. Systems analysts design new computer systems or redesign old systems for new applications. They solve computer problems and enable computer technology to meet their organization's particular needs. For example, a systems analyst from a management consulting firm might be hired by a wholesale firm to implement an online inventory database.

Computer software engineers, by contrast, can be involved in the design and development of software systems for the control and automation of manufacturing, business, and management processes. Other computer specialists include computer support specialists, who provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and users, and database administrators, who work with database management systems software and determine ways to organize and store data. Computer specialists such as systems analysts, computer scientists, and computer engineers sometimes are referred to simply as "consultants."

Technical workers also include computer programmers, who write programs and create software, often in close conjunction with systems analysts. Like systems analysts, computer programmers are found primarily in the business and management consulting segments of the industry.

Designers in this industry are mostly graphic designers who utilize a variety of print, electronic, and film media to create designs that meet clients' commercial needs. Using computer software, these workers develop the overall layout and design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. They also may produce promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services and may design distinctive company logos for products and businesses. An increasing number of graphic designers develop material to appear on Internet homepages.

Other professional and related workers include economists, market and survey researchers, lawyers, and engineering technicians. Economists are employed by economic consulting firms to conduct economic research and advise clients on economic trends. Market and survey researchers are employed mainly by marketing consulting firms to conduct surveys and research on various topics.
Lawyers are employed in virtually all management, scientific, and technical consulting industries to represent their consulting firms in case of a lawsuit and to advise the firms, as well as clients, on changes in laws and regulations pertaining to their areas of expertise. Engineering technicians aid engineers in research and development. Like engineers, these workers are found primarily in the business and management consulting segments of the industry.

Office and administrative support occupations. Office and administrative support positions in management, scientific, and technical consulting services resemble those in other industries, and account for 26 percent of industry employment. Particularly numerous are secretaries and administrative assistants, as well as bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks, who record and classify financial data. The industry also employs many supervisors and managers of office and administrative support workers, who oversee the support staff, often reporting to administrative services managers.

Other occupations. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services firms do not produce any goods. As a result, they employ relatively few services, sales, and production workers, who, together with the remaining occupational groups, make up only about 14 percent of industry employment.
Training and advancement opportunities vary widely within management, scientific, and technical consulting services firms, but most jobs in the industry are similar in three respects. First, clients usually hire consulting firms on the basis of the expertise of their staffs, so proper training of employees is vital to the success of the firms. Second, although employers generally prefer a bachelor's or higher degree, most jobs also require extensive on-the-job training or related experience.

Third, advancement opportunities are best for workers with the highest levels of education.
Most consulting specialties provide a variety of different ways to enter the profession. Whereas very few universities or colleges offer formal programs of study in management consulting, many fields provide a suitable background. These fields include most areas of business and management, such as marketing and accounting, as well as economics, computer and information sciences, and engineering.

Also, many business schools have consulting clubs that offer exposure to consulting firms or opportunities to provide consulting services to businesses. Some schools offer programs in logistics and safety that relate directly to consulting jobs in those areas. Some college graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree and no previous work experience are hired right out of school by consulting firms and go through extensive on-the-job training. The method and extent of training can vary with the type of consulting involved and the nature of the firm. Some college students might have an advantage over other candidates if they complete an internship with a consulting firm during their studies. Other workers with related experience are hired as consultants later in their careers. For example, former military or law enforcement workers often work for security consulting firms.

Similarly, some government workers with experience in enforcing regulations might join an environmental or safety consulting firm. Consultants in scientific fields often have a master's or doctoral degree, and some previously have taught at colleges and universities.

Most consulting firms require their employees to possess a variety of skills in addition to technical skills or industry knowledge. To a large extent, a college degree is only one desired qualification; workers also must possess proven analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent written and verbal communications skills, experience in a particular specialty, assertiveness and motivation, strong attention to detail, and a willingness to work long hours if necessary. Many consultants undergo training to learn these and related skills, such as project management and building relationships with clients. Consultants also must possess high ethical standards, because most consulting firms and clients will contact references and former clients to make sure that the quality of their work was of the highest standard.

Management and leadership classes and seminars are available throughout the United States. Some classes and seminars are hosted by volunteer senior executives and management experts representing a variety of businesses and industries. A number of large firms invest a great deal of time and money in training programs, educating new hires in formal classroom settings over several weeks or months, and some even have separate training facilities. Small firms often combine formal and on-the-job training.

The Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. (IMC USA), offers a wide range of professional development programs and resources, such as meetings, workshops, interest groups, and national conferences that can be helpful for management consultants. The IMC USA also offers the certified management consultant (CMC) designation to those who meet education and experience requirements, as well as pass an interview and oral and written examinations. Management consultants with a CMC designation must be recertified every 3 years.

Other areas of specialization, such as logistics and safety, also offer certification programs for professionals, but these programs are not necessarily designed for consultants. Still, consultants might find it beneficial to receive designations from such programs as well. Although certification is not mandatory for management consultants, it may give a jobseeker a competitive advantage.

Without consulting experience, it can be difficult to sustain a business as an independent management consultant firm. As a result, most entry-level positions are in relatively large firms and often involve very little responsibility at the beginning. Striving for and displaying quality work results in more responsibility. Most management consulting firms have two entry-level positions: workers who hold bachelor's degrees usually start as research associates; those with graduate degrees generally begin as consultants. Successful workers progress through the ranks from research associate to consultant, management consultant, senior consultant, junior partner, and, after many years, senior partner. In some firms, however, it is very difficult for research associates to progress to the next level without further education or certification. As a result, many management consulting firms offer tuition assistance, grants, or reimbursement plans so that workers can attain an MBA or some other degree.

Almost all workers in management consulting services receive on-the-job training; some have prior work experience in a related field. Most managerial and supervisory workers gain experience informally, overseeing a few workers or part of a project under the close supervision of a senior manager. Workers who advance to high-level managerial or supervisory jobs in management services firms usually have an extensive educational background. Less commonly, some large firms offer formal management training.

The management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry offers excellent opportunities for self-employment. Because capital requirements are low, highly experienced workers can start their own businesses fairly easily and cheaply; indeed, every year, thousands of workers in this industry go into business for themselves. Some of these workers come from established management, scientific, and technical consulting services firms, whereas others leave industry, government, or academic jobs to start their own businesses. Still others remain employed in their primary organizations, but have their own consulting jobs on the side.

Outlook

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services is projected to be the fastest growing industry over the next decade. However, because of the number of people looking to work in this industry, competition for jobs is expected to remain keen.

Employment change. Wage and salary employment in the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry is expected to grow by 83 percent between 2008 and 2018. All areas of consulting should experience strong growth.

Projected job growth can be attributed primarily to economic growth and to the continuing complexity of business. A growing number of businesses means increased demand for advice in all areas of business planning. Firms will look to management consultants to draft business plans and budgets, develop strategy, and determine appropriate salaries and benefits for employees. The expansion of franchised restaurants and retail stores will spur demand for marketing consultants to determine the best locations and develop marketing plans.

The expansion of business also will create opportunities for logistics consulting firms in order to link new suppliers with producers and to get the finished goods to consumers. Finally, businesses will continue to need advice on compliance with government workplace safety and environmental laws. Clients need consultants to keep them up to date on the latest changes in legislation affecting their businesses, including changes to tax laws, to environmental regulations, and to policies affecting employee benefits and healthcare and workplace safety. As a result, firms specializing in human resources, environmental, and safety consulting should be in strong demand.

The increasing use of new technology and computer software is another major factor contributing to growth in all areas of consulting. Management consulting firms help clients implement new accounting and payroll software, whereas environmental and safety consulting firms advise clients on the use of computer technology in monitoring harmful substances in the environment or workplace. Consulting firms also might help design new computer systems or online distribution systems. One of the biggest areas upon which technology has had an impact is logistics consulting. The Internet has greatly increased the ability of businesses to link to and communicate with their suppliers and customers, increasing productivity and decreasing costs. Technology-related consulting projects have become so important that many traditional consulting firms are now merging with or setting up joint ventures with technology companies so that each firm has access to the other's resources in order to serve clients better.

The trend toward outsourcing and mergers also will create opportunities for consulting firms. In order to cut costs, many firms are outsourcing administrative and human resources functions to consultants specializing in these services. This business strategy should provide opportunities in human resources consulting for firms that manage their clients' payroll systems and benefits programs. At the same time, increasing competition has led to more business mergers, providing opportunities for consulting firms to assist in the process. Also, as increasing numbers of older business owners retire, consultants will be used to assist in the liquidation, acquisition, or restructuring of those businesses.

Globalization, too, will continue to provide numerous opportunities for consulting firms wishing to expand their services, or help their clients expand, into foreign markets. Consulting firms can advise clients on strategy, as well as foreign laws, regarding taxes, employment, worker safety, and the environment. The growth of international businesses will create numerous opportunities for logistics consulting firms as businesses seek to improve coordination in the expanding network of suppliers and consumers.

An increasing emphasis on protecting a firm's employees, facilities, and information against deliberate acts of sabotage will continue to create numerous opportunities for security consultants. These consultants provide assistance on every aspect of security, from protecting against computer viruses to reinforcing buildings against bomb blasts. Logistics consulting firms are finding opportunities helping clients secure their supply chain against interruptions that might arise from terrorist acts, such as the disruption of shipping or railroad facilities. Growing security concerns, rising insurance costs, and the increasing threat of lawsuits provide added incentives for businesses to protect the welfare of their employees.

Growth in management, scientific, and technical consulting services might be hampered by increasing competition from nontraditional consulting firms, such as investment banks, accounting firms, technology firms, and law firms. As consulting firms continue to expand their services, they will be forced to compete with a more diverse group of firms that provide similar services.

Economic downturns also can have an adverse effect on employment growth in consulting. As businesses are forced to cut costs, consultants may be among the first expenses that businesses eliminate. Furthermore, growth in some consulting specialties, such as executive search consulting, is directly tied to the health of the industries in which they operate. However, some consulting firms might experience growth during recessions: as firms look to cut costs and remain competitive, they might seek the advice of consultants on the best way to do so.

Job prospects. Despite the projected growth in the industry, there will be keen competition for jobs because the prestigious and independent nature of the work and the generous salary and benefits generally attract more jobseekers than openings every year. Individuals with the most education and job experience will likely have the best job prospects.

Earnings

Industry earnings. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services is one of the highest paying industries. Nonsupervisory wage and salary workers in the industry averaged $913 a week in 2008, compared with $608 for workers throughout private industry.

Benefits and union membership. Besides earning a straight salary, many workers receive additional compensation, such as profit sharing, stock ownership, or performance-based bonuses. In some firms, bonuses can constitute one-third or more of annual pay.

Only about 1 percent of workers in management, scientific, and technical consulting services belong to unions or are covered by union contracts, compared with 14 percent of workers in all industries combined.

Sources of Additional Information

For more information about career opportunities in general management consulting, contact:

Association of Management Consulting Firms, 370 Lexington Ave., Suite 2209, New York, NY 10017. Internet: http://www.amcf.org

For more information about career opportunities in executive search consulting, contact:

• Association of Executive Search Consultants, 12 East 41st St., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Internet: http://www.aesc.org

For more information about career opportunities in safety consulting, contact:

• American Society of Safety Engineers, 1800 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines, IL 60018. Internet: http://www.asse.org

For more information about the Certified Management Consultant designation, contact:

• Institute of Management Consultants USA, 2025 M St. NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Internet: http://www.imcusa.org

For more information about the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation, contact:

• Investment Management Consultants Association, 5619 DTC Parkway, Suite 500, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Internet: http://www.imca.org

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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