Key Takeaways:
- Understand specific departmental roles within the FDA and tailor your job application to reflect relevant skills and interests.
- Pursue FDA internships and fellowships during academic years to gain firsthand experience and valuable connections within the agency.
- Expand job possibilities by considering various geographic locations where FDA facilities are present, enhancing hiring potential.
The United States Food and Drug Administration oversees the foods and drugs American citizens use. However, before applying for a single open position, look at some tips for getting an FDA job.
The FDA has a limited number of open jobs available and looks for the best employees, so you need to know where you want to work and all the requirements for each job.
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Know Where You Want to Work
According to the FDA’s official website, jobs are available in several different offices, departments, and centers. While you might think of the FDA as one large agency, each department serves a different purpose.
The Office of Regulatory Affairs is responsible for ensuring that companies follow government regulations, while the Center for Veterinary Medicine focuses on the health of animals. Knowing where you want to work before you apply is one of the best tips for getting a job at the FDA.
Understand All FDA Job Requirements
In addition to the FDA website, you can also view the USA Jobs site for all open positions available within that department. Don’t send off dozens of resumes without first looking closely at all the requirements associated with each job.
While some require just one year of experience or a college degree, other positions may require that you pass a criminal background check and have government clearance. Some jobs are only open to internal applicants or those with government experience.
Do an FDA Internship
When looking at tips for getting a job at the FDA during your college years, consider the process of doing an internship with the FDA. The FDA has internships available for both undergrads and graduate students that will help you gain experience working for the organization. You might also consider applying for one of its special programs after you graduate.
The FDA offers fellowships for those with a bachelor’s degree and those currently enrolled in graduate school, and it also offers summer programs for all students.
Create an Online Account with the FDA
After looking at some of the available FDA jobs, you might worry about tailoring your resume and cover letter to fit each open position. Instead of spending much time working on your resume, create an online account with the USA Jobs site. This site features all open government jobs across the country and government jobs in foreign territories.
You’ll have the chance to list your most recent jobs, show your experience in the volunteer or non-profit sector, and talk about your education. You can then customize your resume to apply to multiple jobs.
Study the Right Subjects
While there are a number of tips for getting a job at the FDA, one of the most important is that you study the right subjects in college. The best subject to study depends on where you want to work and what you hope to do.
A degree in food science may qualify you to work in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Still, those who want to work for the National Center for Toxicological Research may need some type of medical degree.
Attend a Recruitment Event
The FDA hosts occasional recruitment events at different locations across the United States. The FDA may also visit other recruitment events and job fairs. For example, the agency may set up college recruitment events, hiring fairs for veterans or people with disabilities, and community events.
Attending a recruitment event is a good way to make an in-person connection with a hiring manager or human resources specialist at the FDA. If individuals have any questions about the application process or the types of jobs available at the organization, they could get them answered at the event.
Go Through the Department of Veterans Affairs
If you are a United States veteran, you may be eligible for priority review for specific FDA jobs. Job seekers with disabilities may also be able to apply for particular jobs at the agency. The FDA has a virtual recruitment portion of its website where veterans and people with disabilities can apply for jobs, converse with managers, or even participate in an interview.
The Office of Personnel Management has specific guidelines on federal jobs available for veterans and how they can indicate their service when they apply for a job.
Look at the United States Public Health Service Positions
The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps offers another pathway to a career at the FDA. A person who served on the staff could apply for one of the public health jobs at the FDA with priority consideration.
According to the FDA, these positions have a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. They do this through the scope of the FDA, such as with its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program, clinical trial oversight, and more.
The FDA has a special section on its website for current commissioned officers to check for job openings.
Consider Jobs in a Wide Geographic Area
Another way to get an FDA job is to be flexible about the location. Although many jobs are in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the FDA has facilities in most states. Some of its larger food and feed laboratory operations facilities are located in Denver, Kansas City, and San Francisco.
The FDA also has facilities for medical products, tobacco, and forensic chemistry services in Detroit, Philadelphia, and Winchester. The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations has locations in Chicago, Miami, and Houston. Being flexible about the geographic area a person considers for employment could enhance their chances of getting a job with the FDA.
Take a Look at Fellowship Opportunities
People who have an advanced degree in biology, chemistry, or a related subject could apply for an FDA fellowship. The agency’s fellowship opportunities are designed to help scientists advance their research skills. There are fellowships within the FDA’s research and regulatory branches.
In the Commissioner’s Fellowship Program, fellows work under senior scientists in different areas of expertise. The Staff Fellowship Program includes medical and scientific research opportunities. The agency also hires fellows in its FDA Pharmacy Student Experiential Program, Interagency Oncology Task Force Fellowship Program, and Visiting Scientist Program.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration keeps citizens safe through the policies it implements and the research it conducts. This agency has multiple departments and offices that focus on animal health, tobacco usage, and other subjects. Looking at some tips for getting an FDA job can help you find open positions and apply.
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