MEMBERSHIP IS AN EMPLOYMENT ADVANTAGE!

Membership in Pi Gamma Mu may affect the Civil Service rating at which a person enters Federal Service. Preferential treatment for honor society members was granted by the US Civil Service in 1973 and is continuing. A letter from the US Civil Service states, “Membership in a national honorary society meets one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in numerous professional and technical occupations in the Federal service. However, applicants must meet all of the requirements as described in the particular Federal Job Announcement covering the position for which they apply.”

Someone with a bachelor’s degree and no experience is eligible to begin work at GS-5. However, if he or she has a bachelor’s degree and is a member of an Association of College Honor Societies’ honor society, he or she is eligible for a GS-7 rank. This is at the discretion of the individual department or agency and is not automatic. The increase in salary from GS-5 to GS-7 may be as much as $3,300.

Instances of the specific requirements are those for tax and legal occupations. There the basic requirement for GS-7 positions can be a bachelor’s degree and “membership in a national honorary scholastic society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.” Pi Gamma Mu has been a member of ACHS since 1953.

Honor society membership may also be a factor in obtaining a GS-9 rating. In addition, other employers look for honor society status on your résumé. Membership in Pi Gamma Mu is a valuable asset.

©2009 Pi Gamma Mu