The U.S. federal government has reached a level of honesty about its shortcomings in the realm of technology. Top officials have begun to openly acknowledge that they struggle to keep pace with the private sector in digital transformation efforts. The webpage for the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer cites “poor management of technology investments, with IT projects too often costing hundreds of millions of dollars more than they should, taking years longer than necessary to deploy, and delivering technologies that are obsolete by the time they are completed.”
As a result, those in the government are directly asking for help in hopes of emboldening the workforce through more aggressive hiring in IT.
The Potomac Officers Club’s CIO Summit is a yearly tradition where federal IT leaders come together with the GovCon community to identify goals for the future and talk through how to attain the private sector’s developments. Via panel discussions, keynote speeches and more, this high-energy networking event is a place where ideas are formed and new partnerships are forged. Register now for the 2024 CIO Summit, targeted for April.
At the end of Q3 of this year, Federal CIO Clare Martorana issued a memo calling for people of all experience grades to consider joining the government and assisting in its technology initiatives.
“We need technologists at the table collaborating with our Nation’s leaders and providing expertise on how best to launch products and services that are secure by design, digital by default, and accessible to people of all abilities,” Martorana, a 2022 Wash100 Award winner, wrote.
For aspiring tech professionals at the entry level, Martorana recommended a fellowship with the U.S. Digital Corps; seeking an internship through the Federal Internship Portal; or entering the Presidential Management Fellows Program.
If you already have several years of IT experience under your belt, Martorana also recommended the U.S. Digital Service, in addition to opportunities with the General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services and the Presidential Innovation Fellows.
“We the people means us, you and me – we are the mission-critical drivers for this change. There’s no one else coming. It’s up to us,” Martorana stated, indicating the critical nature of the work being done in the technological corridors of the government.
The latest trends in government IT will be under the limelight at the 2024 CIO Summit, from Potomac Officers Club. Last year, DOD CIO John Sherman delivered a keynote address, along with a host of other prominent names. Don’t wait; register here now for the April 2024 edition. You don’t want to miss this!
