School of Sustainability Graduate Culminating Experiences

The goal of this report is to present an overview of the federal workforce and the opportunities that exist for younger generations to be employed by the federal government. We explored what is preventing younger generations from seeking and securing federal employment and shed light on the benefits, value, and opportunities of federal jobs for the younger generation. The report provides a better understanding of how and what policies, for better or worse, influence federal recruitment and hiring processes. We examined the 20-year history and evolution of the federal job portal, USAJOBS, to understand what information is critical to provide an applicant to successfully complete and submit an application for a federal job. We also reviewed the role of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and its responsibility to provide agencies guidance and support in implementing government orders and policies. With research, data, and interview insights, we developed a tangible guide for young job seekers to use to navigate USAJOBS. This guide provides applicable tips gathered from experiences of first-hand users and federal human resources specialists to help prospective applicants decipher federal job announcements and to strategically and completely prepare their applications and resumes to secure federal employment.
Based on these findings, we encourage younger generations, including students and recent graduates, to seek federal jobs not only because ofthe numerous employment benefits, but because of the value and impact younger generations will have in being a federal employee.

Domestic energy is an important component of our day to day lives and is something we cannot live without. Imagine how life would be without a means to cook our food, to warm our house, life would be unbearable. As we enjoy these comforts rarely do we stop to think what the opportunity cost is. For those using renewable sources, it is not a big issue, but for those who rely on wood fuel, they have to strike a delicate balance between need for fuel and the need to conserve the greatest support systems of their livelihoods, the forests. The main source of energy for households in many developing countries is biomass, mainly from forests and woodlands. The continued use of firewood and charcoal fuel puts a strain on forests, resulting in adverse effects on the environment such as prolonged droughts, loss of biodiversity, dwindling water resources, changing weather patterns among other sustainability challenges. An alternative to firewood to charcoal lies in biochar briquettes. This paper discusses the role of biochar briquettes in mitigating climate change and serves as a step by step guide on how biochar briquettes may be produced.