FCW Insider: A search for Rising Stars

FCW Insider update: Here is a link to our Call for Nominations.

In the coming days (once the form is online and tested), Federal Computer Week will begin taking nominations for the 2009 Rising Star awards.

This program honors up-and-coming government and industry employees who are making a mark in the federal information technology community. FCW began this program in 2006 at the suggestion of Phil Kiviat and his cohorts at AFCEA's Bethesda chapter.

The rationale was simple but telling: Young employees in government and industry often do very good work "down in the trenches" without receiving a lot of recognition outside the immediate area around their cubicles (my words, not Kiviat's).

It's not that our community lacks for awards programs. But the work done by younger employees often does not rise to the level of, say, the Federal 100 award -- or if it does, sometimes their bosses get the credit.

So the Rising Star awards program is an opportunity for agencies and contractors to give their unsung heroes a moment in the spotlight, both as a reward to them and as an example to others.

I would point out that Steve Ressler, one of the honorees of our inaugural Rising Star program, is receiving the Federal 100 award this year. Jeremy Warren, another 2009 Fed 100 winner, was a Rising Star last year.

We will post a note on the home page and in our daily newsletter once the nomination form is ready.

Meanwhile, here are some basic guidelines to consider:

* Individuals in both government and industry are eligible.

* There is no age limit per se, but we are looking for employees in the first third of their career in the federal IT community. This leaves room for folks who went into public service in a mid-life career change.

* As with the Federal 100 awards, the Rising Star judges will be looking for individuals who have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to make an impact in their organization.

* The judges also will be looking for indications that the nominees have clear potential to grow into more responsibility in their organizations and in the community at large.

* As with the Fed 100, the nomination includes a place for supporting nominators. If you nominate someone but are not his or her supervisor, please ask the supervisor to serve as a supporting nominator. And do not list the supervisor without asking first.

If you have a question, fill out the comment form below. Otherwise, stay tuned.