The next generation of cyber warriors might still be in braces or learning how to drive. But they’ve got computer skills the nation needs. They’re coming to Washington to compete in a national high school cyber competition. Cyber Patriot is intended to inspire teens to enter the Science Technology Engineering and Math or STEM fields.

Now that the budget cuts are on the books, the pace of government may slow to a crawl. The Pentagon alone plans to furlough nearly 800,000 employees one day a week beginning next month. Joe Petrillo, a procurement lawyer at Petrillo and Powell, says contractors should have some patience.

Less than a week into the sequester and the possibility of furloughs seems very real. Some federal employees already have received furlough notices. If you find yourself in that situation, don’t panic. John Palguta, vice president for policy at the Partnership for Public Service, has some tips.

People at the Department of Health and Human Services are biting their nails, and the tension isn’t just because of the federal budget problems. There’s a fierce competition going on. Six employees say they’ve figured out ways to solve some of the nation’s most difficult health-care problems. But, just like in the reality shows, only one can win. Ned Holland, assistant secretary for administration at HHS, talks about the HHS Innovates People’s Choice Awards.

Visit the voting page here and find a past winner here.