Maryland Career Planning

Launch your career in Maryland's strategic economy with comprehensive planning, government connections, and preparation for professional success near the nation's capital.

Maryland's Key Industries

Government & Public Service

Federal government, agencies, and public service organizations in Washington, D.C.

+8%
Job Growth
$85,000+
Avg Salary

Major Employers:

Federal Government
Department of Defense
NIH
NASA Goddard

Key Skills:

Policy analysis
Public administration
Security clearance
Government relations
Healthcare & Life Sciences

Major medical centers, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies

+18%
Job Growth
$80,000+
Avg Salary

Major Employers:

Johns Hopkins Health
NIH
MedStar Health
Regeneron

Key Skills:

Clinical experience
Research skills
Biotech knowledge
Medical technology
Technology & Cybersecurity

Growing tech sector including cybersecurity, software, and defense contractors

+22%
Job Growth
$95,000+
Avg Salary

Major Employers:

Lockheed Martin
Northrop Grumman
Amazon Web Services
MITRE

Key Skills:

Cybersecurity
Software development
Data analysis
Security clearance
Defense & Aerospace

Major defense contractors and aerospace companies serving federal government

+12%
Job Growth
$100,000+
Avg Salary

Major Employers:

Lockheed Martin
Northrop Grumman
Raytheon
Boeing

Key Skills:

Engineering expertise
Project management
Security clearance
Systems integration

Career Development Resources

Maryland Workforce Exchange

Statewide workforce development and career services system

Statewide
Career counseling
Job placement
Skills training
Professional development
Federal Career Opportunities

Extensive federal government career opportunities in the Washington, D.C. area

Washington metro area
Government positions
Internship programs
Career pathways
Professional development
University Career Centers

World-class career services at Maryland colleges and universities

All major universities
Career advising
Federal job preparation
Security clearance guidance
Alumni networks
Industry Partnerships

Strong connections between academia and Maryland's key industries

Major universities
Internship programs
Research partnerships
Co-op opportunities
Direct hiring

Four-Year Career Preparation Timeline

Freshman Year

Foundation & Government Awareness

Understand government and policy career pathways

Key Activities:

Career assessments
Government internship research
Campus involvement
Skill building
Sophomore Year

Skill Development

Develop skills valued by government and contractors

Key Activities:

Declare major
Security clearance preparation
Professional development
Policy research
Junior Year

Experience & Clearance

Gain federal experience and security clearance

Key Activities:

Federal internships
Security clearance process
Professional connections
Policy projects
Senior Year

Federal Career Launch

Successfully launch career in Maryland's economy

Key Activities:

Government job applications
Contractor opportunities
Graduate school prep
Professional networking

Maryland Career Outlook by Field

Government/Policy

$75,000 - $150,000
High Demand

Cybersecurity

$90,000 - $180,000
Very High Demand

Healthcare

$70,000 - $200,000
Very High Demand

Defense/Aerospace

$85,000 - $170,000
High Demand

Technology

$80,000 - $160,000
Very High Demand

Education

$50,000 - $90,000
Moderate Demand

Ready to Launch Your Maryland Career?

Use CollegeCompass to connect your college experience with career success in Maryland's strategic economy.