In November, Natalie submitted her application for the Pathways Internship Program at the U.S. Department of State, a program intended to provide students with entry into federal careers. It represented a chance for her to pursue fulfilling work in public service, giving back to the communities she values. However, by the end of January, she received an email indicating that the program had been canceled. Natalie, aged 22, is among many young individuals across the nation impacted by the Trump administration’s recent funding freezes and job eliminations in federal agencies during the early stages of the administration.
These executive orders have caused anxiety among college students and recent graduates, prompting some to reconsider their career trajectories. Despite having past internships with the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department, Natalie is now looking at opportunities with non-governmental organizations and on Capitol Hill. She expressed her concerns to The Nation, emphasizing that the federal government no longer appears to be a viable career path for the foreseeable future.
Kye Benford, a political science and government freshman at Purdue University, has similarly pivoted his focus towards state and local government roles over federal opportunities due to the perceived instability resulting from recent governmental actions. The hiring freeze, initially slated to begin on January 28, led to numerous cancellations of legal internships and entry-level roles within federal departments.
President Trump has further dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, proposed eliminating the Department of Education, and temporarily closed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, resulting in substantial job losses. This approach contrasts with the Biden administration’s previous efforts to expand government internship opportunities to attract younger talent.
Critics have suggested that these developments could diminish the federal government’s strength and engender public distrust of federal employees. Peter Levine, a professor at Tufts University, commented that the actions seem to undermine the civil service and amplify hostility towards government workers. A. Benjamin Spencer, the dean of William and Mary Law School, reported that the graduating class had seen a loss of various job offers from federal departments.
Mahir Rahman, an economics and international affairs undergraduate at Brown University, conveyed that recent funding cuts have complicated his search for internships. Instead, he is contemplating a career in medicine post-graduation but remains concerned about the Department of Government Efficiency’s scrutiny of Medicare. Meanwhile, another recent law school graduate shared her need to pivot towards the private sector, citing a loss of stability previously associated with public service roles.
While statistics from 2024 indicated that 60% of young adults viewed careers in public service as impactful, Trump’s recent actions could alter such perceptions. The administration’s strategies, which reportedly aim to bypass congressional blocks, include canceling contracts and issuing conflicting executive orders. Levine noted that young federal workers in provisional roles face particular vulnerability under these conditions.
Lynn Hastings, a Purdue University student, voiced her aspirations of becoming a federal judge but expressed concerns that recent executive orders might lead to biased application assessments. Benford echoed these worries, questioning both the accessibility and fairness of federal career opportunities under the current administration.
Aayushi Umbare, an Indian high school junior interested in international relations, described the American Dream as fading under these circumstances. Experts anticipate these employment reduction measures may deter young individuals from pursuing federal roles and ultimately decrease their representation in government positions.
Levine highlighted that the eventual restoration of the civil service could become a significant opportunity for Generation Z. He suggested that rebuilding the government might become a calling for the new generation to take up in the future.
