In this episode of FEDtalk, host Jason Briefel interviews Troy Cribb, Director of Policy at the Partnership for Public Service, about the presidential transition and its impact on the federal and contractor acquisition workforce. They discuss the importance of the acquisition function in government, the preparations agencies are making for the transition, and the key dates and deadlines involved. Cribb shares insights from her experience working in government and at the General Services Administration (GSA), emphasizing the need for comprehensive briefings and education for incoming appointees. The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition offers resources and programs to support agencies and appointees during the transition.

In this episode of FEDtalk, host Jason Briefel interviews Helene Bumbalo, the Associate Director of Graduate Professional Development at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Business, about career counseling in 2024. Helene shares her unconventional career path and emphasizes the importance of staying flexible and open to new opportunities. She discusses the diverse student population at VCU and the unique challenges they face in navigating the job market. Helene also highlights the changing landscape of job applications, with the increasing use of artificial intelligence and the need for proactive networking before applying. She explores the differences between pursuing opportunities in the public and private sectors and shares innovative approaches to connecting students with federal agencies. She emphasizes the importance of bringing real-life professionals into the classroom to expose students to different career paths. Bumbalo also highlights the value of programs like the Federal Advisor Certificate Program, which prepares career counselors to help students navigate the federal hiring process. She encourages hiring managers to reach out to career programs and utilize alumni connections to find talent. Bumbalo advises job seekers to seek help from career counselors and utilize resources like LinkedIn to navigate the changing employment landscape.

Summary

In this episode of FEDtalk, hosts Natalia Castro and Jason Briefel are joined by Catrina Bonus and Jessie Lane from Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) to discuss National Police Week and the 25th anniversary of WIFLE. They talk about the history and mission of WIFLE, which is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in federal law enforcement. They also highlight the various programs and initiatives that WIFLE has implemented to support women in law enforcement, including community engagement, mentorship, and partnerships with federal agencies, military organizations, and international partners. The conversation also touches on the importance of diversity and inclusion in law enforcement and the significance of National Police Week in honoring fallen officers. The conversation highlights the importance of gender diversity in law enforcement and the efforts of WIFLE to promote and support women in the field. The guests discuss the 30x30 Initiative, which aims to increase the representation of women in law enforcement to 30% by 2030. They emphasize the need for not just hiring, but also promoting and retaining women in leadership positions. The conversation also touches on the unique strengths that women bring to law enforcement, such as compassion and de-escalation skills. WIFLE's annual leadership training is mentioned as a key event that provides education, networking, and recognition for women in law enforcement. To register for the 2024 WIFLE Leadership Summit, August 5-8 in Washington, DC, visit: https://wiflefoundation.org.