[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29735-29736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14731]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6680]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: INTERNational 
Connections, Form DS-5103

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in 
the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting 
this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
     Title of Information Collection: INTERNationalConnections.
     OMB Control Number: None.
     Type of Request:: New Collection.
     Originating Office: Bureau of Human Resources, Office of 
Recruitment, Examination and Employment (HR/REE).
     Form Number: None.
     Respondents: Alumni of the U.S. Department of State's 
Student Programs, including internships, Pickerings, Rangels, Stay-in-
Schools, Co-ops, etc.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 1,000.
     Average Hours per Response: 30 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden: 500.
     Frequency: On Occasion.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to 60 
days from June 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Mailing Address: U.S. Department of State, 2401 E Street. 
NW., SA1-518H, Washington, DC 20520. Attn.: Rachel Friedland.
     E-mail: [email protected].
     If you have access to the Internet you may submit comments 
electronically by going to http://www.Regulations.Gov/index.cfm.
You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection and 
supporting documents, to Rachel C. Friedland, 2401 E Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20520, who may be reached on (202) 261-8055 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are soliciting public comments to permit 
the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper performance of our functions.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
technology.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The Department's student internship programs provide a key source 
of potential candidates who have an interest in, and are qualified, to 
become future Department employees. Naturally, HR/REE wants to 
strengthen and maintain its connections to this group, fostering and 
mentoring a pool of candidates from which to obtain successful 
recruits.
    In June 2008, HR/REE surveyed over 3,500 former interns who served 
from 2005 through spring 2008. The intern alumni were queried as to 
their motivation in seeking an internship, whether or not they had 
pursued a career with either the Foreign Service or Civil Service, and 
what their recommendations would be for the best ways for the 
Department to maintain contact after the conclusion of their 
internships. Intern alumni endorse continued contact with Department 
representatives mainly through electronic means and Web site reminders 
of career opportunities.
    In an effort to address these findings and provide viable solutions 
to improving student engagement prior to, during and following an 
internship, the Department developed an intern engagement strategy that 
will ultimately result in a measurable conversion of interns into 
Department hires for the Foreign or Civil Service. The foundation of 
this strategy is INTERNational Connections, a Web-based career 
networking site for current, former and future interns that collects 
pertinent information about them, their experiences and their career 
goals.

Methodology

    Currently, the Department of State internship program employs over 
1,000

[[Page 29736]]

participants in the summer, in addition to fall and spring internships. 
Unfortunately, a tracking system does not exist which would enable the 
Department to capture the intern-to-hire ratio or conversion rate, or 
track this statistic over a period of time. This project would provide 
that missing link.
    Users will register online at http://careers.state.gov/internconnect and create a profile that includes the aforementioned 
information.

    Dated: June 16, 2009.
Ruben Torres,
Executive Director, Bureau of Human Resources, U.S. Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. E9-14731 Filed 6-22-09; 8:45 am]
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