President Donald Trump’s efforts to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and restructure the federal workforce have left many recent public service hires in turmoil. Krisna Patel, a 23-year-old with a master’s in public health, was laid off from a USAID-run program after just four months. She, along with many other full-time contractors, faced job uncertainty after the Trump administration paused foreign assistance funding for 90 days.
The administration’s plans to shut down USAID and put thousands of staffers on administrative leave have caused concern among those in the federal workforce and its contractors. The focus on cutting federal workers, including probationary staff, has left many vulnerable to layoffs. This has left individuals like Rowan Travis, 25, who had a job offer rescinded due to a federal hiring freeze, facing a challenging job market in both the public and private sectors.
Young professionals in government roles, like Zack Forrester, 25, who recently lost his job at a D.C.-based NGO due to funding cuts, are worried about their future job prospects. Others, like Aidan Rowe, 24, who worked at a humanitarian NGO helping refugees, are angry and determined to stay in the field despite layoffs.
The impact of the foreign aid freeze has spread through government agencies and organizations funded by USAID. Many fear that the talent pipeline entering the public sector will dwindle as young professionals seek opportunities outside of federal government work. These changes are causing financial uncertainty and job instability for many recent public service hires hoping for stable careers.
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