Imagine being able to take an online career quiz that helps determine what federal jobs are perfectly suited to you. Then imagine the same system helping you locate agencies that hire for those particular positions. If Robyn Dingledine of Littleton, CO has anything to say about it, such an innovation would soon become a reality.

Dingledine was the lucky winner of last week's first annual FedPitch. As the winner, she will have dinner with the contest's judges-only one of whom is a government employee-to discuss the winning idea in more detail and explore approaches for possibly implementing the idea.

The event was organized by the Council for Excellence in Government and consisted of 20 finalists from across the country who gave 2-minute pitches on their ideas for improving workforce management in the federal government.

Huddled under a large canopy, participants and audience members braved the blazing heat on the National Mall to commemorate Public Service Awareness Week.

Among the myriad of ideas presented by the finalists were proposals for video training programs to let potential future government employees know "what they're getting into," as well as implementing ways to keep federal employees with security clearances from bailing to the private sector.

One idea, pitched by Elizabeth Cuda of Chicago, IL, sought to create federal "volunteer vacations" that would allow employees to take off as much as two weeks of paid time to volunteer for federally funded programs such as AmeriCorps. Another proposal of note included the creation of an interagency leadership exchange program-pitched by Sharon Gunselman of D.C.-that would help to enhance federal employees' "leadership development opportunities."

Jane Petkofsky of Arlington, VA felt government employees worked too hard.  She pitched the idea that there needs to be a government-wide sabbatical program for long-time tenured employees that would allow them to take time off to "reconnect with what they love" and "recharge their creative juices." Most of us call this a vacation or a leave of absence Jane.

While the concept of FedPitch is admirable, at times, the event had the air of an office picnic or high school talent competition and contestants were often cheered by what appeared to be close friends and co-workers. Periodically, the proceedings were joyfully interrupted by people in fun costumes, like one woman who appeared from nowhere dressed as the Statue of Liberty. A large cartoonish, balloon-headed policeman also stopped by for a spell.  

Perhaps the second FedPitch will yield improvements in executions and innovations. If nothing else, the audience of judges should be comprised of individuals with high-level government positions capable of quickly implementing a good idea.  Otherwise the event is largely ceremonial.