Of the many insightful and timely conversations at last week’s the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) AI+ Expo, one stood out to me in particular. It was with a recent graduate attending NobleReach’s panel on mission-driven tech talent, who asked, “How do I talk to my peers, who want to make a difference and don’t realize that government is a place they can do that?”
Inherent in the question are the hopes and anxieties we see in many of the students and early-career professionals we work with across our programs. Seismic disruptions from the pandemic to global conflict to the advent of generative AI have given young people a deep desire to step up and make a difference. They’ve also underscored how much the working world has evolved.
Today’s graduates also want flexibility – the ability to choose the next chapter in their career without committing to one path for decades. While they do care about prestige, with historically low institutional trust, the name at the top of the job description matters less than the projects they’ll be working on and the impact they can expect to have. They’re facing a difficult job market, especially for entry-level positions, so they’re also concerned with their financial independence.
Against this backdrop, paradoxically, candidates like the young man from the AI+ Expo are exactly what many government agencies are looking for – and not just government. While young people with skills in critical areas like AI and cyber look for the perfect place to launch their career journeys, organizations across the public and private sector are searching for scalable ways to get the talent they need to compete in an AI-driven world.
Here are a few things all organizations should be doing to position themselves for success in the race for top AI talent.
More than any generation before them, today’s young people have grown up with change. Their adaptability, their resilience and their commitment to contributing to something greater than themselves represent an enormous opportunity to rebuild trust and accelerate AI innovation. Organizations across sectors must be ready to make the most of their potential.
At NobleReach, we believe that securing our nation’s future depends on the strength of our talent and our ability to push the boundaries on innovation. Since launching the NobleReach Scholars Program in 2024, we’ve seen firsthand how emerging technologists—driven by purpose and equipped with cutting-edge skills—can make an immediate impact in federal agencies. Today, I’m proud to share that we are taking a bold next step: expanding the program to include placements in state and local governments across the country.
This expansion reflects our belief that innovation and service shouldn’t be confined to the federal level. Our Scholars have already been instrumental in shaping initiatives in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and business process innovation. Future scholars can now go where policy meets practice where communities are shaped, where public services are delivered, and where the most pressing challenges are often felt most acutely.
Meeting Urgent Needs Across America
State and local governments are the frontlines of public service. These institutions are responsible for the infrastructure we rely on, the health systems we depend on, and the economic development efforts that lift up entire regions. Yet many of these agencies face constraints in both resources and access to technical expertise. By embedding Scholars in these environments, we are answering that need—introducing fresh energy, critical skills, and entrepreneurial thinking into places that will benefit from these partnerships.
Our Scholars will continue to experience the strong foundation that defines this program. They will participate in our immersive two-week professional development bootcamp in Washington, D.C., before beginning their placements across the country. They will join a mission-aligned cohort that supports and challenges one another throughout the fellowship. And they will be matched with mentors who help guide them as they navigate the complexities of public service
Our Unchanging Mission
While the scope of the program is expanding, our purpose remains the same: to help emerging leaders find meaningful, impactful pathways to serve. For recent graduates in technical fields, this new opportunity offers a chance to work on real problems, in real communities, with real stakes. It also offers something rare—an up-close look at how decisions get made and policies get implemented outside the halls of Washington.
We are currently finalizing placements for our next cohort of Scholars, and we welcome interest from state and local officials eager to host this exceptional talent.
The Road Ahead
I couldn’t be more excited about what’s next. By expanding to all levels of government, we’re not just scaling—we’re deepening our impact. We’re building a nationwide network of changemakers committed to innovation, service, and the communities they represent. For recent graduates in technical fields, this is an opportunity to work on problems that matter in communities where the stakes are real and the impact is visible. We are currently finalizing placements for the next cohort of NobleReach Scholars and welcome interest from state and local leaders who are ready to bring this capacity into their institutions.
State and local agencies interested in hosting a Scholar can visit our website to learn more and connect with us.
The Axiom Business Book Awards are the largest and most respected guidepost for business books. Each year, they honor influential business titles and their creators across more than 25 categories. revious medalists include renowned figures such as Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, and philanthropist and investor Ray Dalio, among many other influential business and thought leaders.
This year in the General Business category, Axiom awarded Venture Meets Mission a gold medal, its highest honor. Read more about this award and the others books honored
Last week, NobleReach CEO Arun Gupta was honored to receive awards for his contributions to public service: the Fed100 award and the Industry Eagle award. Presented by a leading federal news outlet, GovExec, these awards speak to the central ethos that has guided not only Arun’s career but NobleReach as a whole.
Read more about the story behind the awards here.
As we begin 2025, NobleReach stands at a pivotal moment in our journey to transform how talent and technology serve the public. The reception of national best-seller ‘Venture Meets Mission’ and our conversations at forums from SXSW to the Aspen Ideas Festival have confirmed what we believed when we started: there’s an urgent need and opportunity to bridge the gap between academia, talent, and innovation. Over the last year, we’ve built critical infrastructure that is transforming how next generation talent engages with mission-driven work and translating public research into public benefit, strengthening America’s security and prosperity for decades to come.
As we enter the new year, NobleReach is positioned to scale our impact even further. We will expand the Scholars Program with new government and industry partnerships to broaden opportunities for emerging leaders. We are also poised to launch new university initiatives that empower students and faculty to bridge academia and public service through innovative programs and convenings.
Thank you to our partners, supporters, and team members who share our vision of a stronger, more innovative America. Together, we’re building a future where talent, technology, and mission converge to drive security, prosperity, and progress.
The best is yet to come!