College Kids Choose Government Contracting (Because it Pays)

There’s a growing conversation happening across the country right now — one that every parent, student, and young professional should be paying attention to.

It’s about the value of college.

With tuition prices rising faster than ever and student debt weighing down millions, more people are asking the same question: Is a four-year degree really the only path to a successful career?

And maybe more importantly — are there better, faster, and more practical ways to build a real career without drowning in debt?

In this post, I want to share something that might surprise you. There’s an entire world of opportunity out there — a field most people under 30 barely know exists — where young professionals are landing paid internships, high-paying consulting clients, and even full-time careers.

That field is government contracting.

And yes, it’s not just for big defense companies, veterans, or people with decades of experience. I’m seeing college students — even those still in school — thrive in this space faster than in most traditional career paths.

The College Debate — and a New Kind of Career Alternative

There’s no denying it: higher education has become one of the biggest financial decisions of a young person’s life.

You commit to four (or more) years, spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, and hope the degree you chose at 18 will actually lead to a job that pays enough to cover your loans.

For many students, that’s a tough pill to swallow.

That’s why I started exploring ways to help young people get a head start in something practical — something that didn’t just teach theory, but gave them real, marketable skills that could land them paid work fast.

That’s how the GovClose Certification Program came to life — and why we’re now seeing college students and young professionals use it to break into a high-demand, high-paying industry that most of their peers don’t even know about.

Government Contracting: The Career Path Nobody’s Talking About

Here’s the reality:

The federal government spends trillions of dollars every year — not just on defense or infrastructure, but on everything from cybersecurity to consulting to marketing and software development.

But here’s the kicker: very few people actually understand how the government buys.

That gap — between what the government needs and who actually knows how to sell to them — creates enormous opportunity.

Salaries and consulting fees in this industry tend to be high, not just because of funding, but because there’s so little competition.

Most people never get trained in this process, and even many of the companies already working with the government are still figuring it out as they go.

That’s where young, trained professionals can step in — and that’s exactly what’s happening.

Lindsay’s Story: From College Sophomore to Paid Aerospace Intern

In one of our recent videos, I sat down with Lindsay, a college sophomore who went through the GovClose Certification Program.

She didn’t have a business degree. She wasn’t planning on working with the government. But after learning the basics of federal contracting — how the government actually buys, where the money goes, and how to position yourself as a valuable resource — something clicked.

She completed the program, added her certification to her resume and LinkedIn, and within weeks, she landed a paid internship with an aerospace defense company.

Now, she’s not just earning money while in school — she’s building relationships, gaining experience, and learning how the industry works from the inside.

What’s even better is how she’s combining college and contracting. She’s continuing her education while applying real-world skills that most students don’t get until years after graduation.

It’s the best of both worlds.

Jack’s Story: No Degree, Multiple Clients, and a Thriving Consulting Business

Then there’s Jack, a young guy in his early 20s with no bachelor’s degree.

He decided to skip the traditional college route and instead invested in learning a high-value skill — government contracting.

After going through the GovClose certification, Jack didn’t just understand the process — he mastered it.

He learned how to identify which agencies buy certain services, how to build capability statements, and how to position himself as a consultant for small businesses that want to sell to the government but don’t know how.

Within months, Jack had multiple high-paying clients — all in the government contracting space.

He turned his certification into a full-fledged consulting business. No degree. No student loans. Just valuable, practical knowledge and a willingness to put it to work.

Why This Works: High Demand, Low Competition, Real Skills

Let’s be honest: government contracting isn’t glamorous. It’s not flashy. It’s a lot of paperwork, regulations, and patience.

But it’s also one of the most stable and lucrative industries in America.

Every year, the federal government spends money on nearly every industry imaginable — healthcare, construction, IT, logistics, research, education, design, marketing — you name it.

And yet, so few people understand the system that those who do stand out instantly.

That’s why salaries are high. That’s why consulting fees are strong. And that’s why I’m seeing young professionals — people in their 20s — succeed faster than many mid-career professionals trying to break in later.

The Truth: It’s Not Easy, But It’s Accessible

Government contracting is not for everyone. It takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn a complex process.

But it’s also completely learnable — even if you’re just starting out.

You don’t need 20 years of experience. You don’t need a master’s degree. You just need the right guidance and a willingness to do the work.

That’s what the GovClose Certification Program is designed for — a structured, hands-on way to learn government contracting through:

✅ Step-by-step video lessons that explain every stage of the process
✅ Real-world examples and assignments to help the knowledge stick
✅ Weekly coaching sessions to get feedback and stay accountable
✅ A private community of over 200 peers who share wins, challenges, and strategies

It’s not just another online course. It’s a professional training environment where people actually learn how to compete — and win — in a space most people ignore.

Why Young Professionals Have the Edge

What’s really interesting is how younger people are uniquely positioned to thrive in this field.

They’re tech-savvy. They’re adaptable. And they don’t come in with bad habits or assumptions about “how things have always been done.”

That makes them incredibly valuable to companies trying to modernize or expand in the federal space.

I’ve seen companies literally hire GovClose graduates because they bring a level of clarity and structure that even seasoned employees lack.

That’s the real secret here — knowledge gaps create opportunities, and young professionals who fill those gaps early build careers that compound in value over time.

Not Anti-College — But Pro-Options

Now, I want to be clear — I’m not telling anyone to skip college.

What I am saying is that there are other paths worth knowing about.

For some students, combining college with government contracting creates a powerful advantage. You get your degree, but you also gain specialized experience that makes you stand out when you graduate.

For others, especially those who prefer hands-on learning or entrepreneurship, contracting can become a full-time career without the need for traditional education.

Either way, the goal is the same — real-world skills that lead to real opportunities.

A Call to the Next Generation

If you’re in college (or thinking about skipping it), I want you to know this: there’s a whole world of opportunity out there that doesn’t require you to follow the traditional path.

Government contracting might not sound exciting at first — but it’s one of the few industries where skill, consistency, and a little strategy can change your entire career trajectory.

Lindsay and Jack are proof that you don’t need a decade of experience to make it work. You just need the right guidance and the willingness to take action.

And if enough young people start learning this now, we’ll see an entirely new generation of professionals — one that understands how the government buys, how businesses sell, and how to bridge the gap between them.

Final Thoughts

Government contracting is often overlooked, misunderstood, and underrepresented in career conversations — especially among young professionals.

But that’s exactly why it’s such a powerful opportunity.

Whether you’re in college, fresh out of school, or simply rethinking your path, learning how to navigate this space gives you a skill set that’s rare, valuable, and in constant demand.

You don’t have to choose between a degree and a career — you can do both. Or you can carve your own path entirely.

Either way, there’s room for you here.

And if enough people start early, we might just see the next generation of federal contracting experts start their journeys not after 20 years in the workforce — but right now.

👉 Learn more about starting your consulting business at GovClose.com

👉Get Weekly Government Contracting Business Tips: https://federalytics.substack.com

👉 Explore the GovClose Certification Program for step-by-step training

👉 Follow me on LinkedIn for free live training and Q&A