Interested in working for a federal organization? Given Northeastern Illinois University’s status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) now offers the Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program (HSINP) at NEIU. HSINP supports the continued advancement of Hispanics in higher education by offering scholarships, internships and sponsorships to national USDA conferences to students of all majors and ethnicities who meet eligibility requirements.
Julio Puentes, the Illinois-Midwest Regional Director of the USDA program, mentioned the many different jobs that one could get through the program. Puentes also spoke about a stereotype usually associated with the USDA.”We need to take away the stereotype that the USDA is all about farming,” said Puentes.
Careers in management like accounting, public affairs and computer sciences are some of the jobs available. Other jobs are available in science and technology related fields like engineering, biological sciences, nutrition and mathematics/statistics.
In light of our country’s current economic state, recent or soon-to-be graduates might consider public sector jobs like the USDA for reasons such as job security, competitive salaries and health and life insurance benefits.
For more information concerning the USDA Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program, visit www.hsi.usda.gov or stop by room C-628, in the C building, to talk to the regional director.