Alison Debes

A recent graduate of the Earle Mack School of Law, Alison Debes, was awarded a post-graduation fellowship in the 2010 Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) program. Students who are earning an advanced degree and are in their last year of study are eligible to apply for this program, which places students in full time employment positions with federal agencies upon graduation.

The application process is divided into three steps. First, applicants must be nominated by their university. Then, the applicant must pass a standardized test administered by the federal government. Alison took her assessment test in Washington, D.C., however the tests are offered in several cities throughout the country. If the applicant passes the test, he or she receives a list of agencies and open employment positions which will be filled with PMF fellows upon graduation. Then, the applicant may apply to any listed position and interview with the agencies who are interested in the applicant. The positions are largely in Washington, D.C. but openings are available across the country. Interviews are held, for the most part, at a job fair open exclusively to PMF applicants. The agencies then make employment offers to the applicants and the applicants select which offer to accept.

After receiving several offers, Alison accepted a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center as a Human Resources Specialist, focusing on Employee and Labor Relations. Her appointment, which lasts two years, includes researching case law, drafting charges for proposed employment actions, assembling evidence, and preparing cases.