u/QuickGas3420

Currently interning in a central agency and my internship will be ending in december 2026. I have applied for a continuous strategic analyst (level 5) posting and interviewed as well. Was told my score was good.

However, my manager ended up hiring someone else from the same competition I interviewed for, to act as a level 5 in my team. I thought I would have gotten it since some other co-ops were getting it in their own teams but in any case - how can I level up in my career within the OPS after my internship ends? I would like to land a level 5 right away. What should I do? Will I get a reach back since my score from the interview is in the pool? Should I network more than Im already doing? Should I wait for internal postings? FORTE? Anything would help :)

Ive noticed the OPS is starting to conduct in person interviews now, why is this organization moving backwards? This is so demotivating.

EDIT: Thank you guys so much. Some of ur responses brought tears to my eyes, it means more than u know. To know that some of u can sympathize with my frustration and feeling is reassuring in many ways.

i just started as a coop in the OPS at the beginning of this month and i feel so lost. my team is nice but my manager is not as good of a mentor, dont get me wrong, they are very nice to me but when it comes to anything onboarding related I had to figure stuff out on my own and when it comes to teaching me the basics i had to learn from others who arent even on my team. I go out of my way to ask my manager but i feel like im being a nuisance. I sit in meetings and dont know what the heck is going on, i feel so lonely and stupid so far. Im very grateful for this opportunity, i just wish i had better management i guess. Any advice?