More Federal Workers Are Flooding the Job Market, With Worsening Prospects

[dalton99a]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/us/politics/federal-workers-job-market.html

https://archive.ph/HvLFa

More Federal Workers Are Flooding the Job Market, With Worsening Prospects
The drastic, sudden pullback in federal dollars is collapsing opportunities for many who’ve spent years in public service.
By Eileen Sullivan and Lydia DePillis
June 6, 2025 Updated 7:50 a.m. ET

After Matt Minich was fired from his job with the Food and Drug Administration in February, he did what many scientists have done for years after leaving public service. He looked for a position with a university.

Mr. Minich, 38, was one of thousands swept up in the mass layoffs of probationary workers at the beginning of President Trump’s second administration. The shock of those early moves heralded more upheaval to come as the Department of Government Efficiency, led by the tech billionaire Elon Musk, raced through agency after agency, slashing staff, freezing spending and ripping up government contracts.

In March, about 45 minutes after Mr. Minich accepted a job as a scientist in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, the program lost its federal grant funding. Mr. Minich, who had worked on reducing the negative health impacts of tobacco use, observed that he had the special honor of “being DOGE-ed twice.”

He is still hunting for work. And like hundreds of thousands of other former civil servants forced into an increasingly crowded job market, he is finding that drastic cuts to grants and contracts in academia, consulting and direct services mean even fewer opportunities are available.

Some states that were hiring, another avenue for former federal government employees, have pulled back. So, too, have the private contractors typically seen as a landing place. The situation is expected to worsen as more layoffs are announced, voluntary departures mount and workers who were placed on administrative leave see the clock run out.

...

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Federal cutbacks in all areas will have a reverse multiplier effect. A contraction. RECESSION.

Those fired halt spending on discretionary items. This impacts retailers, online and off. They need fewer workers. Shopping lists are shortened or delayed. Gas, fast food, Walmart & Target, supermarkets, nonprofits ... all feel a pinch. It may be felt in D.C. first, and ripple out, but it is still nationwide. As to whether it will become global ... so far the effect has been minimal. Other nations are making do and seeking their own solutions and opportunities to produce their own and cut the USA out of their equations. The USA is a house of economic cards at this point.

[mdbl]

5. "The USA is a house of economic cards at this point"

Describes our economy for the last 50 years. That's why it's so easy to make it fall. Just the fact that our whole retirement system is reliant on a casino currently being manipulated by a crook like trump shoes how unreliable it's become.

[k_buddy762]

2. Most people I know

have ZERO sympathy for federal workers and government employees. But these folks are still breadwinners for their families, and many are unionized. This will add to the unemployment problems.

[erronis]

6. Most people I know have a deep appreciation of federal workers and government employees.

But I live in a liberal, well-educated part of this country.

[DenaliDemocrat]

10. Then most people you know are fucking dumb

Federal workers keep your food safe, provide engineering support to the military, keep your harbors open, and make sure your medicine is up to standards.

They are chronically underpaid and overworked.

[wolfie001]

12. People like that can't seem to ever find a niche and build a career

So of course, they have to be jealous and spiteful. My job was Union and I just worked until I had seniority. Even then it was iffy. Still had bills to pay and the benefits were terrific. Many left too early and I'm sure they're the ones complaining about those Govt. workers too.

[IronLionZion]

3. This administration is against science and research

they prefer to "do their own research" with AI generated nonsense apparently.

We could have a brain drain where these folks find employment with other countries.

[travelingthrulife]

7. It is already happening.

My niece is almost done with her PhD in genomics. She thinks she is likely to end up in another country for work.

[Xolodno]

14. Oh, it gets even better.

Once I get my Masters in Education, if I find it hard to get a job, I told my wife I will gladly relocate to another country. We have family in other nations and could get sponsorship rather easily.

I've also earned a nice nest egg for retirement and can cash that out and move it out of the country.

And finally, student loans? What student loans? There are any collection mechanisms in a foreign nation. Maybe garnish my Social Security when I finally collect it, but there is a max percentage they can do.

These GOP idiots are setting up this nation for long term failure.

[Wounded Bear]

4. And the "unintended" consequence of all this: declining wages and salaries...

Just an extra special bonus for their shit sandwich.

[travelingthrulife]

8. Yup. Gotta get US workers down to Chinese workers wages before the manufacturing comes back.

No one will be able to afford whatever these manufacturers are making though.

[Deep State Witch]

9. Maryland Is Offering Teacher Training

The state most impacted by this - Maryland - is offering training for DOGEd Feds to pivot to teaching. Most of them are already experts in their fields. They just need the teaching credits.

[wolfie001]

13. Make Maryland a Technology leader!!!

Why not? Go Maryland!

[Demovictory9]

11. Kick