Students & Recent Graduates Employment Opportunities
There are many paths for students and recent graduates to pursue an opportunity with CISA to help protect the homeland from cyber and physical threats. CISA’s internships provide hands-on opportunities to challenge and build technical skills. Join a team of public servants who use their professional and risk advisory acumen every day to adapt and develop innovative ways to protect the nation’s physical and cyber infrastructures.
CURRENT OPEN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
When we have open internship opportunities listings (such as Pathways Internships and Pathways Recent Graduates positions on USAJOBS), we will add links to them here.
Scholarship for Service Internship
If you are a student participating in the Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, we are looking for summer interns! Apply on USAJOBS today (open until 1/17/25). Please note that you must include proof that you are in SFS as part of your application, and we will also verify this with OPM. If you are not an SFS student, you cannot be considered for these internships.
OCC Volunteer Legal Internship
Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 OCC Volunteer Legal Internship
The CISA Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) is excited to offer unpaid internship opportunities for law students with an interest in cybersecurity and/or infrastructure security! These OCC internships are for U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled in law school and have completed at least 1 semester of their first year. Volunteer interns will support OCC attorneys in providing legal and policy advice to CISA staff through one or more of the following OCC Legal Divisions: Cybersecurity, General Law, Ethics, Infrastructure Security and Regulatory Programs, Litigation and Investigations, and/or Operations, Engagement, and Risk. Interns will assist CISA attorneys by providing written advice on the application of federal laws to CISA and DHS programs and policies. Other assignments may include legal research and analysis, client engagement and consultations as necessary.
- Applications for Summer 2025 will be accepted until December 13, 2024.
- Applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted from December 14, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
Cybersecurity and AI Talent Initiative
The Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Talent Initiative (CTI) is now accepting applications until November 8, 2024! CTI is a 2-year program and a great opportunity for recent graduates of cybersecurity and AI-related fields to gain experience. Apply today or learn more about the program.
HS-POWER
CISA also participates in Homeland Security Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER), a DHS internship program for undergraduate and graduate students. This program offers a stipend and allows students to participate in quality homeland security-related research experiences with research facilities and DHS components nationwide, either onsite or virtually. If you are onsite, travel to the work station and a housing stipend are also included. Students are paired with mentors as a part of the program. Applications are accepted from September-December and are open now. For more information and to apply, please visit the HS-POWER website.
Opportunities for Enrolled Students
DHS Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program
Are you a student enrolled in a STEM, IT, cybersecurity, or intelligence degree at a Minority Serving Institute? Consider applying to the DHS Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program!
Pathways Interns
CISA offers paid opportunities to enhance skills and bolster career potential for enrolled students from high school to graduate level. This program is ideal for currently enrolled students who have at least 2 semesters remaining before graduation.
CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)
Are you a student who wants to study cybersecurity? Be sure to check out the SFS program, which provides scholarships to students in cyber-related degree programs in exchange for a commitment to employment with the government.
Volunteer Student Interns
CISA also offers limited unpaid internships for enrolled students in exchange for course credit or a third-party stipend.
Opportunities for Recent Graduates
Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Talent Initiative (CTI)
CTI is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership aimed at recruiting and training a world-class cybersecurity workforce. The 2-year program is a selective opportunity for recent graduates of cybersecurity-related fields to gain vital experience.
Pathways Recent Graduates
Have you just graduated from college? Congrats! CISA offers paid developmental experiences intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF)
Are you close to finishing your advanced college degree? Consider applying to the PMF program, the federal government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates.
Boren Fellows/Scholars
The Boren Fellowship and Scholarship Program facilitates overseas language study/research for undergrads and graduate students. After graduating, Fellows must work for the federal government for 1 year or a period of time equal to the funding length.
Benefits & Perks
CISA offers a variety of benefits* and perks for interns and recent graduates.
* Some benefits are not available for time-limited, summer, or volunteer interns.
Flexible Work Schedules
Flexible work schedules to include telework, and both casual and professional work environments
Competitive Salaries and Leave
Competitive salaries, annual leave, sick leave, and paid federal holidays
Comprehensive Benefit Options
Comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term care insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and retirement plans
Health and Wellness
Up to three hours of paid leave per week to engage in health and wellness activities
Resources for Parents
Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave plus programs and resources for parents
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Access to resources, including dependent care resources, financial consultation, legal aid, and counseling service
SmartBenefits®
Transportation benefits, such as a transit subsidy and TSA PreCheck, to make traveling a little easier
Education and Development
Education and development opportunities are available such as mentoring, leadership development and sponsored graduate degree programs
Contact Us
Still have questions about our internship opportunities? We’re here to help! Contact our team of recruiters who are happy to give you further guidance.
- Email Us: studentcareers@cisa.dhs.gov
- Find Events: CISA Hiring & Career Events
- Stay Connected: Handshake, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
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