By Kajal Gheewala
The Council for Excellence in Government and Geico have teamed up to launch a social networking tool, comparable to MySpace.com and Facebook.com, for people under the age of 35 working for the federal government.
As of last month, YoungFeds.org offers message boards, blogs, video and audio clips and advice for young professionals in government.
David Roberts, 26, one of the organizers of the Web site, said that users will soon be able to create profiles, add friends and find other employees in their respective agencies.
“YoungFeds will hopefully become not only a networking tool, but also will be controlled by users. This site is for them so they will want to create their own sense of a community,” said Roberts.
“People under 35 make up about one-fifth of the federal government and so they feel isolated,” said Timothy Birner, one of the advisory members of the site in a group named “35 under 35,” or “35<35." "We wanted to give them somewhere they could go to meet people similar to them."
The group consists of informal advisors, who help contribute content such as opinion pieces or articles to the Web site. Other features include a news section, which provides links to articles pertaining to the federal government and a download page that offers mp3s of government related interviews and news clippings.
James Holbrook, a sophomore political science major, said that he believes the site is a scary idea.
“I’m sure government officials will be watching the site once members get personal profile pages,” said Holbrook. “If you leave an inappropriate comment or message a friend with a note of questionable content, then it could cost you your job.”
Junior Nick Warner, however, said he believes it is a good idea because of the opportunities it can offer to young adults such as him.
“It could really help with networking to meet people and get a good job in the government,” Warner said.
As it states on the site, YoungFeds.org is a place to meet, network and advance. It is made by and for young professionals working in and with the federal government.
“Our hope is that this site will be used by individuals to exchange ideas and improve the government,” added Birner.