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• Position: Letters - Letter to the Editor

Thank you so much for Nicholas Thompson's article, "Star Search" (June). As a Human Resources Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture, I applaud your analysis of the recruitment and retention challenges that face the federal government today.

Although many federal employees have college degrees and often extensive backgrounds in their fields, almost all are hired at exceedingly low grade levels. Some accept jobs in which they have been classified at levels well below their abilities. Respective agencies do not necessarily educate their employees about the nuances of the ranking system. Why would they when they have acquired new talent at a deep discount? But this hardly makes sense if the real goal is not just to hire cheap labor but to attract mad retain dedicated and entrepreneurial new employees.

Many people who choose to work for the federal government, including myself, are committed to serving our country. We bring significant academic ability, knowledge of our fields, and an abundance of enthusiasm to the table, yet too often our talents are not rewarded.

Aleta Haynes-Williams

United States Department of Agriculture

Alexandria, Va.

As a former federal...