Federal Employment Resources for the SIPA Community
At the Career Advancement Center (CAC), we’re closely monitoring the uncertain and rapidly changing landscape in the US federal government and post-USAID workforce. Here is a collection of events and resources to help our community of students and alumni understand what’s happening, identify opportunities, and explore options. CAC career advisers are available to support students and alumni with job and internship search strategies. We are here to help and work together to determine how SIPA can best assist you with your career aspirations. Please reach out to us with any ideas or feedback at [email protected].
FOR ALUMNI
Post-USAID Pivots: How the Agency’s Ex-Workforce is Moving Forward
Are you wondering how former colleagues successfully moved forward after the USAID crisis, which sectors are now absorbing that talent, and how you can strategically reposition your own unique skills to land a new mission-driven leadership role?
To provide clarity during this challenging transition, Devex created a guide featuring firsthand accounts from those who successfully pivoted. This resource combines real-world stories with recruiter advice to help you move forward with confidence and a clear plan.
What you’ll learn:
- Tips for moving from a staff position to consulting work
- How to identify and convey transferable skills
- Ways to apply your USAID experience to new opportunities
- How to reposition your CV for the next chapter
- The benefits of volunteering and much more
Download the PDF →
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FOR ALUMNI
Life After USAID: How Former Staff Are Navigating Their Next Career Moves
March 30, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Virtual
The layoffs at the U.S. Agency for International Development reshaped career paths across the global development sector. One year later, many professionals are still navigating an uncertain job market while trying to determine what comes next.
In this Devex Careers event, two former USAID staff members share how they successfully navigated that transition. Drawing on their previous experience across humanitarian assistance and private sector engagement, they will discuss the strategies, decisions, and lessons that helped them land new roles.
Whether you are exploring a career transition yourself or seeking practical guidance on navigating a changing development job market, this conversation offers valuable insight from professionals who have recently been through the process.
During this event, you will learn:
- Why a scattershot job search approach may not produce results in a saturated job market.
- How professional networks can uncover new roles, organizations, and sectors.
- Why applying to more junior roles is not always the best strategy.
- How investing in new skills can expand your career opportunities.
- Practical advice for translating USAID experience into roles across the wider development and social impact ecosystem.
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The Career Pivot Bootcamp
(Asynchronous)
Are you a former or current federal employee looking for career coaching, practical tools and resources to help you navigate an unexpected career pivot from federal employment? This Career Pivot Bootcamp. presented by Partnership for Public Service, provides participants with actionable content to guide them to new employment opportunities in state and local government, in the private sector, at nonprofits and in higher education.
Bootcamp participants will:
-Receive training videos from career development experts at the Partnership, as well as resources and tools to organize their job search.
-Gain confidence and skill in all aspects of the career pivot journey, including developing an elevator pitch, networking, resumes, cover letters, use of LinkedIn, interviewing and salary negotiation.
-Gain access to the asynchronous bootcamp and go through the seven modules at their own pace.
This bootcamp is free. Participants have 30 days to complete the bootcamp after they enroll.
Resources
Civic Match is a no cost program connecting federal workers and campaign staff with meaningful roles in state and local governments across the country.