Pros
Foot in the door at major federal agencies Funds provided (or supposed to be) for professional development Ability to telework (at some agencies)
Cons
Salaries dictated entirely by educational level. No experience points or hopes of earning more. No benefits (other than health insurance) Don't earn earned income and stipend can't be used towards retirement or the purchase of a home. Don't take taxes out of stipend, so you're responsible for witholding and quarterly payments to the IRS Little structure around the management of ORISE fellowship. There are some basic guidelines but inconsistent application across Divisions. Onsite mentor often knows nothing about the mysteries of ORISE and vice versa. Rude staff through travel service. No real fellow to FTE pipeline. Some fellows are lucky to strike lightening and land an FTE, but you're considered an external applicant even though you already work there. You do the same work as that of FTEs and are paid at least half of what they make (see first point on salary) Culture at agencies that devalues the work of fellows and leads to menial assignments and micromanagement.
