The Trump administration is disrupting career opportunities for new graduates aiming to work in climate and sustainability, international aid, public service, and scientific fields.
Grace Veenstra has always been fascinated by the natural landscapes of Alaska, such as volcanoes and glaciers. As a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she worked at an institute monitoring environmental activities. During a summer scholarship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), she developed an interest in working there due to their focus on climate studies and natural hazard understanding.
However, as Veenstra began her job search after graduating in May, significant workforce reductions at NOAA occurred following Donald Trump’s assumption of office. The Commerce Department accused a grantee of promoting “climate anxiety,” aiming to dismantle NOAA’s research arm and reduce its budget by a quarter. This shift has led Veenstra to stop pursuing NOAA-related opportunities.
With the entry of the class of 2025 into the job market, the Trump administration’s actions are impacting career paths in climate-related and public service sectors. Federal jobs are dwindling, and grants supporting university programs and nonprofits are being cut. For instance, the National Science Foundation has halved graduate fellowships, canceled undergraduate grants, and suspended existing funding, focusing particularly on diversity and inclusion areas. The Department of Health and Human Services announced substantial layoffs under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Other agencies, like the US Agency for International Development and the Institute of Education Sciences, have been essentially dissolved. The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have also faced deep cuts, with reconsideration of key ecological findings underway.
There is a decline in hiring projections among employers, with the National Association of Colleges and Employers noting a significant drop in anticipated job growth and internship opportunities.
Many graduates trained in service-oriented fields are now questioning their career options, with some considering further education or opportunities abroad. For instance, Ellie Wilmarth, who studied algae, is now facing limited job opportunities and concerns about the availability of graduate funding.
Students seeking guidance from professors often receive advice to remain in graduate school longer due to the current job market instability. However, Deanna Knighton from the National Career Development Association advises thoughtful consideration before pursuing additional education.
Graduates like Natalie Mulimbi, who interned at USAID, now face uncertainty in their career paths. Despite having qualifications in social work and fundraising, Mulimbi is apprehensive about finding work due to funding cuts affecting nonprofits.
The administration’s cuts particularly affect students from diverse backgrounds, with specific initiatives being canceled. Concerns about future opportunities continue, as some students explore international education options. Dana Fisher from American University points out that while graduate degrees abroad might be more affordable, there is a reluctance to advise students to leave the country.
The prospect of a potential “brain drain” looms, with initiatives like the European Commission’s funding to attract researchers. Some students are considering shifting their career goals to address systemic issues in the US.
Ultimately, the Trump administration’s decisions are reshaping the aspirations and planning of the class of 2025, engendering hesitance and reevaluation of career pathways once considered certain.
