In my last post, The State of Optimism in 2010: Opportunities for Genuine Changes, I talked about the large numbers of candidates applying for jobs and the challenges and opportunities at each stage of the hiring process.

Here is some insight on the potential pipeline from a civil government ROTC.

The present economic crisis has highlighted education and training gaps: unemployed individuals who lack the qualifications for open positions. Government-like industry is especially lacking a stream of qualified entry level candidates with the appropriate educational backgrounds to match positions. For example, many agencies seek Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) majors, which trends up and down among undergraduates. The Roosevelt Scholars Act (HJ.R. Bill 3510), introduced on July 31, 2009 and presently in Committee, seeks to establish a scholarship program that assists graduate students with their education in exchange for a commitment to federal service.

If passed, the legislation would create a civilian ROTC program by offering scholarships in mission-critical fields including science, engineering, public health, information technology, foreign languages and law, in exchange for a federal service commitment on completion of their degree.  

Look for an increased emphasis on other ways to tie education to government service: internship and fellowship programs, forgiveness of student loans and the use of relationship with college departmental heads to recruit.

Whether or not sweeping change is on the horizon, there is certainly reason for optimism in 2010.