1.6 Shifts in Job Stability & New Opportunities

Public service careers have traditionally been seen as stable, especially in government and established nonprofit organizations. However, under the Trump administration, federal agencies have faced budget cuts, staff layoff, and hiring freezes. Many nonprofits that employ public service professionals have also experienced funding cuts, often tied to changes in federal grants or donations from the private sector. These reductions can lead to layoffs, program closures, and heavier workloads for those who remain. This has disrupted the long-standing perception of stability in these fields.

At the same time, demographic and workforce trends are creating new opportunities in other areas of public service. The silver tsunami, a wave of retirements as older workers leave the workforce, and the effects of the “great resignation” have opened positions in many state and local government agencies.

In some places, these vacancies have been difficult to fill, which creates strong demand for qualified professionals. For those interested in public service, this means there are still many career options available, especially in fields such as public safety, health services, planning, and administration at the state and local levels.

In recent years, the growth of social enterprises and civic technology firms in the private sector has created new career paths for people interested in public service outside of traditional government roles.

Social enterprises use business strategies to address social and environmental challenges, reinvesting profits into their mission rather than maximizing shareholder returns. Civic tech firms develop tools and platforms that improve how communities access information, engage with government, or solve local problems. These organizations offer opportunities for professionals to create meaningful change while working in flexible, private sector environments.