{"id":45222,"date":"2025-06-02T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/?p=45222"},"modified":"2025-06-02T13:45:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T17:45:12","slug":"how-early-career-talent-can-find-a-path-in-public-service-fedsupport-call-to-serve-go-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/blog\/how-early-career-talent-can-find-a-path-in-public-service-fedsupport-call-to-serve-go-government\/","title":{"rendered":"How early career talent can find a path in public service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s graduation season, which means that millions of recent graduates are now beginning their careers and contemplating the often-dreaded question, \u201cWhat\u2019s next?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many early career professionals who may be a few years out of college are also wrestling with feelings of uncertainty amidst a challenging job market and recent federal layoffs. For example, federal employees earlier in their careers were heavily impacted by\u00a0probationary employees’ layoffs<\/a> at their agencies, because the probationary period<\/a> typically includes employees in their first year on the job. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who are interested in a career in the federal government<\/a>, the current hiring freeze and reductions in force<\/a> can make that path feel uncertain.\u00a0This uncertainty may mean that talented individuals early in their careers need to come up with plan B if the federal government was their planned destination.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re a recent grad beginning a job search for the first time or an early career federal employee looking to find what\u2019s next, ask yourself, \u201cWhat was it about the government, or a specific agency, that excited me? Was it the mission? The chance to solve complex problems using my distinct skill set? The ability to make a difference?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever that core motivation was, it\u2019s still there.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The federal government is one entry point into public service, but it\u2019s not the only one. You can make an impact through state and local government, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations, higher education or even mission-driven roles in the private sector.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landscape may look different right now, but your drive to serve is your foundation. So, what can you do now to keep moving forward? If you\u2019re not sure which industry or roles to focus on, a skills assessment can be a helpful tool to identify the work you\u2019re good at and the work you enjoy doing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A recent Partnership webinar provides great insights on how to conduct a skills assessment<\/a>. Students and recent graduates underestimate how transferable their skills really are. To help you start making those connections, here are a few examples<\/a> of how college and early career experience might translate into public sector roles:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n