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Student Employment Programs

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) is searching for top performing interns in nearly all disciplines from administrative through highly technical to place in over 50 different areas of The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). OSD is the principal staff element of the Secretary in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program evaluation responsibilities.

Some of the areas available for internships are:

Student Summer Contract Program

This program provides students a 10-week summer work experience to work as a contractor in assigned OSD organizations related to their academic course of study. 

Unsalaried Internship Program

The Department of Defense (DoD) offers unpaid training opportunities to students in high school and college. These opportunities provide work experience related to your academic program. The program allows you to explore career options as well as develop your personal and professional skills. As a student volunteer, you will be exposed to the DoD work environment and learn about the missions and responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other Defense Agencies.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

The Federal Government has always looked to educational institutions to find students who have the skills needed to meet its future employment needs. The SCEP was created to attract talented students to Federal public service. Selected students work in careers associated with  their academic disciplines. Upon completion, most students are converted to full time employment.

Workforce Recruitment Program

The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) aims to provide summer work experience, and in some cases full-time employment, for college students with disabilities. The program develops partnerships with other Federal agencies, each of whom makes a commitment to provide summer jobs and a staff recruiter. Each year, recruiters interview more than 1,500 students with disabilities at college and university campuses across the nation, and develop a data base listing the qualifications of each student. Interviews are arranged from November to January. College career counselors or disability student services providers who would like to schedule a recruitment trip to their campuses should also contact wrp@dol.gov. Students interested in the program must work through their colleges. Due to imited staff resources, the Office of Disability Employment Policy cannot respond to direct student inquiries.

For consideration specific to the Office if the Secretary of Defense and associated agencies, contact the WRP coordinator by e-mail specialprograms@whs.mil or U.S. mail:

WRP Intern Coordinator
Washington Headquarters Services
2521 South Clark Street, Suite 3000 Arlington, VA 22202

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

Temporary positions giving students the opportunity to work year round, part time during school semesters and full time during breaks.  Positions in this program are managed by private contractor, and are not federal positions.

Here is What Our Students Say:

“You can’t beat the networking opportunities of an internship with OSD.  Whatever professional interests in National Defense you may have, this is the best place to start.”

– WRP Intern

“The program is an indispensable opportunity to see how the Department of Defense interfaces with Congress and other Federal agencies.”

– Unsalaried Intern

“I truly have enjoyed learning about major factor that impact our nation’s defense.  This experience has given me the desire to pursue a career with the DoD after graduation.  Thank you for this wonderful experience.”

– Summer Contracted Intern

“I’ve been assigned specifically to the ISAF desk where I’ve had the opportunity to play a role in helping to formulate NATO policy in Afghanistan.”

– Unsalaried Intern