Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)

Are you interested in working in the government for the summer or after you graduate? If so, The Center for Disability Resources (CDR) would like to tell you about a great opportunity for Syracuse University and SUNY ESF students!

Workforce Recruitment Program
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP), coordinated by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense, is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers with highly motivated college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.

To participate in the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), individuals applying must (taken from the WRP FAQ):

  • Be a person with a disability and eligible for hiring under the Schedule A Hiring Authority for persons with disabilities.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be a current, full-time, degree-seeking, post-secondary student OR have graduated from such an institution on or after April 1, 2021.
  • Students may also participate if they meet all of the other requirements for the program but are taking a reduced course load due to a disability or if they are taking less than a substantially full-time load in the enrollment period immediately prior to graduation.
  • Again, WRP also allows recent graduates who have graduated within two and a half years of the December release of the database to participate, so those that graduated from a postsecondary program in April 2021 or more recently are eligible. Candidates who graduated prior to April 2021 are not eligible to participate this year.
  • Please note that candidates must reapply each program year to participate.
  • First year students are eligible! There is no minimum GPA; however, candidates should make sure that their GPA accurately reflects what is listed on their transcript and that it is their most recent GPA. If the candidate is a first-semester freshmen or transfer student and does not yet have a GPA, they can list the most recent GPA they achieved at their previous school.

Important dates for the 2022-2023 WRP Year:

  • Applications will be open on August 21, 2023.
  • Applications will close TBD for 2023.
  • To apply, you will need a resume and transcript (this can be an unofficial transcript).
    • Advising transcripts are available exclusively for current students and those with MySlice access.  Review and print a copy of an unofficial transcript from MySlice by logging in to: MySlice  > Student Services > My Academics > View My Advising Transcript.
  • Additional materials will be emailed to students who are registered with the Center for Disability Resources.
  • The Informational Interview period for students who complete their applications by the deadline will be on or after TBD for 2023.

If you are interested in interviewing with a representative from WRP or learning more about the program, please contact:

If you are seeking Cover Letter, Resume, or Informational Interview support:

  • Student Veterans are encouraged to contact Jennifer Pluta, (jrpluta@syr.edu).
  • All other students are encouraged to make an appointment through Handshake to work with Kathleen Mercer, Career Services.
  • Checkout the Career Services: Career Coaching webpage for great suggestions to improve your resume and cover letters.

Please visit www.wrp.gov for more information regarding WRP.