FedUpward Podcast - Tips for Federal Government Employees

The Leadership Council for Women in National Security improves national security by ensuring that women, in all their diversity, have equal space at the policy-making table. LCWINS is an organization of women and allies from across the political spectrum working to advance gender inclusion at the highest levels of the U.S. national security and foreign policy workforce. Gina talks us through the L...

Confused about the payroll tax deferral? Don't understand how FERS retirement works? Need explanations about TSP match and life insurance? Meet Brian. Brian  Sigwart  is a Certified financial planner with Cummins and Associates Financial Group. He focuses his practice on educating federal employees how their benefits work. He has been providing financial wellness classes for over a decade at over...

Join Sasha O'Connell, a former FBI executive and director of public sector strategy at Guidehouse, and Love Rutledge of the FedUpward Podcast, along with expert guests as they discuss how young professionals and students should best position themselves for success in the National Security Sector.management and executive leadership. The Mission Is Possible podcast series offers real advice and expe...

Need more contracting knowledge? The Pulse at Government Contracting founders Amber Hart and Lisa Shea Mundt discuss the important of a good statement of work and how we govvies can get exactly what we want out of contractors. Want more info? Check out their website: https://thepulsegovcon.com/ Amber Hart received her Bachelor's in Conflict Analysis and Resolution & Global Affairs from George Maso...

Latika Vines gets it. She's a federal employee and mother. She saw the overwhelm and struggles of parents at work and started a side hustle helping them navigate everyday struggles. In my interview with her, she discusses her approach and advice for fed parents. She has a podcast of her own - check it out. https://anchor.fm/latika-vines The Latika Vines Show is an inspirational podcast for working...

Your boss asks you to write a speech for him/her on a topic in your lane. What are your first steps and what questions should you ask to ensure you're on the right track? Maria DeFazio has the answers. She wrote speeches for the highest ranking leadership at HUD and now serves as the Executive Director of the Presidential Management Alumni Association (PMAA).  https://www.presidentialmanagementalu...

Jen Choi and Dan Ward of MITRE explain what MITRE is (an operator of FFRDCs...and what FFRDCs are...and give us insight into the free resource they created for feds. It's a suite of tools to spark innovation - no training required. You can find them here: https://itk.mitre.org/ ITK intro video:  https://youtu.be/J9zut1ZORb0 Sample ITK tool:  Lotus Blossom About MITRE:  https://www.mitre.org/about/...

Colonel Candice Frost provides advice on dealing with toxic bosses, how to manage up and keep your sanity. She's also an expert on finding mentors and providing effective mentorship. Listen to her tips here and in her new podcast, Candid Leadership at the link below. https://colonelcandid.com/ Candice truly leads by example. She's known for lifting others up, amplifying the voices of those under h...

If you've ever thought about making the jump from GS to SES or you're wondering why more talented people don't consider it themselves, listen up. There are many unexpected downsides to getting promoted to the SES corps that are, frankly, counterintuitive. Our system isn't set up to financially incentivize those of us already working in high cost areas.  If you're new to government service, listen...

If you work around or with contractors, there are a few basic terms and principles you should know. Most of us don't get a crash course unless we manage contracts. That's where P aul Schauer comes in. He is the co-host of the Contracting Officer's podcast. Don't be fooled by the title. This show offers tons of knowledge for newbies, as well as experienced contracting officers.  Listen to his podca...

In this solo episode, I express my personal concerns about how we're all handling the childcare and school situation over the summer and in the fall. I'm personally at a loss. How about you? And have you ever heard about the childcare subsidy some federal agencies offer? Yep, it exists. It's rare to find it and it's aimed at lower income feds who need it most. Joint the conversation with other fed...

Ever wonder if Congress cares about our struggles as feds? Listen to hear from Shawn Skelly, commissioner on the  National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service created by Congress. The Commission's final report outlines tons of recommendations to ultimately make our lives easier and serve the public more efficiently through improved systems, structures and education. She worked har...

The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) is the only independent, nonprofit 501c3 organization devoted solely to providing emergency financial assistance and scholarships to our dedicated civilian federal and postal public servants and their families. Listen to learn more about what they have to offer if you're in need AND how you can help support feds in tough times. Learn more at...

Tinisha Agramonte started her career in public service as an Air Force spouse working drug demand reduction programs (or, in her words "Pee Queen") to SES as the Director of the Office of Civil Rights at Dept of Commerce. She is an eloquent advocate for first generation professionals in federal service, people like her who are the first in a family to work an office  job or attend college. Many of...

If you've ever been asked to create social media content for your agency, this episode is for you. Here's what's probably run through your head: Who's my target audience?  What's the strategy here? Is this going to sound cheesy? Will I get in trouble if I say this? I interviewed Kristy Dalton of Government Social Media to get best practices for government social media posts. Kristy created an onli...

If your new to the DC area or thinking about moving here to pursue a federal career, Tommy Pevehouse is here to help. He make the move from Arkansas, full of optimism and enthusiasm, only to encounter a variety of professional obstacles. He created a resource for young feds to get help learning basic professional skills and avoid the pitfalls he experienced. And he reminds those of us with a few y...

If you're like me, you've heard the ads for WAEPA and wondered what it is and how it actually compares to FEGLI. Listen to Shane Canfield, the CEO of WAEPA, describe what it is and why you might want to run the numbers to compare WAEPA to your current insurance. This is NOT an ad.  Want to learn more? https://www.waepa.org/

The Federal Vacancies Reform Act impacts all federal employees - some more than others. Stanford Law faculty member and federal bureaucracy expert Anne Joseph O'Connell outlines what the Act is and why we should care, as well as how it impacts us.  Her bio: https://law.stanford.edu/directory/anne-joseph-oconnell/ A summary of the Act: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44997.pdf

Ever felt a little awkward about networking? Public sector career coach Alex Tremble dishes advice for feds and has a special offer for FedUpward listeners. He's offering his networking training at 20% off and a free 30 minute coaching call to YOU. Listen for details. https://alextremble.com/ Not on the FedUpward mailing list? Find out what you're missing. https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5e5da1e45f...

FedUpward listeners can get $25 for opening an account with FedChoice Federal Credit Union right now. Courtney Brown of FedChoice talks about the benefits of credit unions and how FedChoice has a very long history of supporting feds when we need it most. https://www.fedchoice.org/ This episode is sponsored by FedChoice Federal Credit Union.

Ever considered hiring a company to write your SES package? There are pros and cons. Lee Kelley of Career Pro Global walks you through the process and what boards are actually looking f or.  https://try.careerproplus.com/ Joint the FedUpward mailing list here:  https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5e5da1e45fc9a50026db6d8aNe If you like the podcast, consider supporting me here: patreon.com/fedupward

Frustrated with resume updates in USAJOBS? Trying to get the format right but struggling to make the certs for positions you really want? Lee Kelley of Career Pro Global has advice for you. If you've ever considered getting professional help to land the government job you're looking for, check out the link below. Career Pro Global

GovExec posted an article last week that started the conversation about protesting and what federal employees should keep in mind if they engage in political activity or support to causes. This interview goes one step deeper to answer your questions about what you can and cannot do as a fed. GovExec Article on protesting rights for feds

I've had current events on my heart this week. I've talked to a few people about it, but everyone seems scared to address how people are feeling for fear they'll be reprimanded. Staying silent isn't helping. Dr. Amy Grubb offers tips to offer supportive, appropriate words for your co-workers and subordinates. I hope you find this helpful and can let people know you care about them even if your pol...