Virtual Student Federal Service
The Virtual Student Federal Service is the largest virtual internship program in the world. It is a U.S. Department of State-run program to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of engagement. Working from home or college and university campuses in the United States and throughout the world, Virtual Interns are partnered with our U.S. diplomatic posts and domestic federal offices to conduct digital diplomacy that reflects the realities of our networked world.
Students work remotely on projects up to 10 hours per week from September to May, and can have a flexible schedule during the school year. This allows students to meet both their academic and virtual internship goals.
Virtual Intern duties and responsibilities vary according to the needs of the sponsoring office. Projects may be research-based, reporting on human rights, economics or the environment, for example. Or they may be technology-oriented, designing web pages or coding. Past projects include:
- Conduct research using economic data, and prepare informational material for a U.S. Embassy website;
- Create a system to gather and analyze media coverage on a set of topics including environment, health, and trade;
- Research IT-based interventions that have been successful in higher education, particularly in teacher training;
- Write and contribute biweekly articles to a U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page on topics such as internet technologies, computer science/technology, history, and literature;
- Develop a series of professional instructional video clips for a U.S. Embassy;
- Survey social media efforts of U.S. diplomatic posts, NGOs, and private companies around the world to help establish best practices in a U.S. Embassy’s social media outreach business plan;
- Develop and implement public relations campaigns using social media sites to communicate with youth audiences.
For a list of all current projects, please visit: https://vsfs.state.gov/projects#all-projs-tab
Virtual Student Federal Service
  Not Currently Accepting Applications
The application period for the Virtual Student Federal Service program is expected to reopen again in Summer 2021.
- A U.S. citizen.
- A college, masters, PhD, or post-doc student.
- Enrolled full- or part-time in a degree or certificate program.
- Committed to working virtually 10 hours weekly, September-May.
- Able to use your own computer with internet access.
How many hours per week are students expected to spend on projects?
This will depend on the schedule to which the student and supervisor agree to at the start of the Virtual Internship. The time commitment averages 10 hours per week though this could increase or decrease.
Are these internships paid?
Virtual Interns are unpaid and are not Federal government employees. They are not entitled to employee benefits.
Do students receive course credit for participating?
Applying course credit for participating in a VSFS Virtual Internship must be determined by the student and the academic institution.
What happens if I am accepted but then cannot fulfill my obligation to complete my Virtual Intern assignment?
Our intent is that both students and offices are fully committed to the VSFS Virtual Internship program and have the time and resources to commit to participation. Unanticipated or unexpected circumstances can occur both for the student and supervisor. We will address each situation on a case-by-case basis. Two possible outcomes include: 1) student resigns from the VSFS Virtual Internship program; 2) student takes time off and then continues Virtual Internship at a later date if the supervisor agrees.
What kind of contact do students have with the federal agency?
All communication is virtual. Email, phone, web chat, document sharing platforms, etc. may be used. Each student will have at least two points of contact or supervisors to work with, report progress, and to receive guidance on projects.
Will a VSFS Virtual Internship increase a student’s chances of securing a traditional internship and/or full employment with a federal agency?
VSFS is not a formal recruiting tool. However, participants will learn about the U.S. government through the program, and students will have experience working with employers, which might naturally make them a more knowledgeable candidate for future internships or employment with a federal agency.
Who manages this program within the State Department?
The Office of eDiplomacy in the Bureau of Information Resource Management oversees VSFS.
How many positions are available?
There were more than 1,000 positions available for the 2019-2020 academic year. The number of positions changes from year to year and depends on the number of proposals generated by participating agencies.
How many positions may I apply to?
You may apply for up to three positions.
How are students selected for Virtual Internships?
The Office of eDiplomacy will refer qualified applicants to the submitting office for final selection. Some offices may contact applicants to schedule an interview in August.
How will students be notified if they are selected?
The Office of eDiplomacy will contact an applicant as soon as he/she has been selected for a position. Students who are selected for more than one position must choose one offered position. Students who are not placed this year will also be notified.
If I am not selected this year, can I re-apply next year?
Yes, so long as you meet eligibility requirements (U.S. citizen and still enrolled as an undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate student).
CONTACT US
E-Mail: VSFS@state.gov