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Government Leader home > news stories
01/08/07
Otherwise engaged: Web site helps groom young feds
By Richard W. Walker
Government Leader Staff
Faced with a likely wave of retirements in the next five to 10 years, agency executives are under pressure to find ways of keeping young federal workers engaged and groom them for management positions. The Council for Excellence in Government, in partnership with GEICO of Chevy Chase, Md., one of the nation’s largest insurance companies, is trying to help with that effort.
CEG and GEICO have launched YoungFeds.org, a Web site where under-35 government professional can network and grow professionally in the Internet age.
The sponsors expect YoungFeds.org to play a significant role in attracting and retaining Internet-savvy young people to federal service, officials said. “It’s a critical time to attract new leaders,” said Tony Nicely, GEICO’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, noting that 60 percent of the government General Schedule employees and 90 percent of Senior Executive Service members will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years.
“To engage young people and get them interested in government and interested in staying in government, we’ve got to meet young [people] where they are — and that’s on the Internet,” he added. “Our hope is that individuals and organizations use the site and live activities as a like-minded community to improve government.”
The project has been guided by “35 under 35,” a group of young professionals who work for the federal government and for organizations and academic institutions that support improvement in government. The group contributes ideas and content and participates in live activities sponsored by CEG and GEICO.
The YoungFeds.org site offers a search and news section, areas for blogs, a calendar of events aimed at under-35 professionals and the ability to download Webcasts and podcasts of events. Columns include profiles of young feds who are making a difference, advice from veteran government executives, a book review and author Q&A and advice from the workplace front lines.
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