We recently sat down with Andy King, President of Federal Publications Seminars, FPS is the leader in federal contracting compliance training with over 65 years of experience, hundreds of trusted industry experts, and the largest content library in market. King spoke about a career path most college-bound families have never considered, and why it deserves a place on their radar.

Q: Most families planning for college have never heard of government contracting as a career. What are they missing?

A: A large, stable field that is hungry for talent. The federal government buys hundreds of billions of dollars in goods and services every year, and every dollar moves through a contract. Companies that sell to the government need contract managers, compliance specialists, accountants, and attorneys who understand the rules. Demand for that expertise consistently outruns the supply of people trained in it. The government contracting industry is also by and large recession-proof.

Q: What should a student who is interested actually study?

A: There is no single gateway major, which surprises people. Accounting, finance, business, supply chain management, public policy, and pre-law all feed the profession. What matters more is the underlying skill set: careful reading of dense rules, attention to detail, ability to multi task and clear writing. Internships with a government contractor or a federal agency are the fastest way to test the fit.

Q: A diploma gets a graduate in the door. What happens after that?

A: That is when the specialized training begins. The Federal Acquisition Regulation and its agency supplements change constantly, so no degree program can cover them once and be done. Federal Publications Seminars has helped government contractors stay compliant with federal acquisition regulations for more than 65 years, and most of the professionals we train hold degrees in something else entirely. They build credentials on the job through accredited courses, certificate programs, and digital badges that employers recognize.

Q: Koppelman Group's philosophy is finding the college that fits the student, not just the biggest name. Does that hold up in your field?

A: Completely. Hiring managers in government contracting care far more about what a candidate can do than where they studied. A student who chose a school that fit them and kept learning afterward will outperform a prestige pick who stopped at graduation. Fit produces momentum, and momentum is what careers are built on.

Q: What is your advice for parents thinking about long-term career security?

A: Point your student toward fields where expertise compounds. Rules-based professions like government contracting reward people who keep learning, because the rules never stop changing. The habit that matters most is treating education as something that continues past the diploma. Students who learn that early have an advantage in any field they choose.