“Finding a gap to stand in”: NobleReach Scholar Caitlin Casey, IRS

Caitlin Casey , one of this year’s NobleReach Scholars, is currently serving in a yearlong role as a TSO Project Manager at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

We caught up with her recently to discuss her experience in the first two months of public service and her advice for anyone considering applying for the program.?

Applications for the 2025 NobleReach Scholars cohort are open now.

What are some of the top lessons you’ve learned as you’ve started your placement?

First, show up every day with an open mind. it’s good to have one because there’s no other way to figure anything out. Joining the federal government is joining a large school of fish in a massive ocean of other schools of fish. The scale, scope, and legacy of the places you’ll work at are part of why your service matters and why you’ll take so much from this experience, but it means you’re joining a large pre-existing orchestra. You’ll get spun around if you don’t learn from your fellow fish and enter following the stream. When in Rome do as the Romans do, when working in federal government watch and learn with an open mind.?

Next, the learning curve and timelines are long. After the first couple of weeks at my placement I came to the startling realization that my year-long placement would not nearly be enough time to become a deeply knowledgeable veteran employee. There will be big projects and initiatives and I will move on from my placement long before they reach their “end.” Some of our NobleReach speakers described working in the public sector like a relay. You run with the baton until it’s your time to pass it on, and you’re likely never going to be running the anchor leg.

Finally, you are appreciated. I didn’t imagine I would have anywhere near the impact that I have already had with my placement. That’s not to say that I’ve reinvented some wheel, but that there’s so much work to do! During the NobleReach bootcamp, one of my fellow Scholars described public service as “finding a gap to stand in,” and the first couple weeks of my placement have enforced this definition. So many people wake up every day and stand in gaps for me, I appreciate them more consciously now.

What has surprised you about your experience?

I have been most surprised and impressed by the immense talent and drive I’ve found in the projects and people at my placement. Despite applying for and being excited for the fellowship, I still entered my placement with a lot of negative preconceived notions about why the public sector struggled to produce results and successes. Now I can say without a doubt it is not for lack of incredible talent, effort, and vision.?

What prompted you to apply to be a NobleReach Scholar?

My decision to apply to a NobleReach Scholar was a very easy choice once I found the program. While applying to jobs, I was really frustrated at having both too many and too few options. I wanted something like a rotational program, but with a cohort. I wanted to expand on the skills I learned in my master’s program, but I wanted work that helped other people. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I wanted to learn a lot. NobleReach solved for all of this. If you’re reading this, you’re way ahead of where I was, and good for you.?

What advice would you give anyone considering applying?

The agency or firm you work at does not have to be “themed” around the work you want to do for you to be able to get good experience in your desired field or practice. In fact, most agencies that aren’t “themed” after your specific topic might need your expertise even more. The great thing about working in the public sector is that these skills can go anywhere, and cool work is being done everywhere. Even better than cool, the work you do this year will help make the lives of those around you better. It’s a win-win if you have an open mind.?

How has your experience and education prepared you for your role in the federal government?

I sort of cheated by majoring in public policy in undergrad, so I was more prepared than I needed to be to start well. The experience and education I’ve drawn on most in my first month of federal government work has been all my various athletic teams. The classes, papers, research, and internships I have experienced have helped me, but nothing has prepared me as well as all the first days and times I was incredibly confused entering new group environments. Everyone at my placement expected to have to teach me what various acronyms and file paths meant, but I needed to show up prepared to ask.?

The NobleReach Scholars Program transforms ambitious, mission-driven individuals into future leaders in tech, science, and entrepreneurship. This program is both a pathway into public service as well as a platform to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.?