
Protest against US President Donald Trump and Dage Elon Musk declined to medical research and higher education during the rally “Do not freeze” under the borders of the Health and Human Services headquarters in Washington, Colombia, February 19, 2025.
(Saul forehead / geti)
In November, Natalie applied for an internship program for the US Department of State. The program, name To give students a route to a federal career, it was an opportunity to explore the field “that feels full” and can help her “return” the places that served her: the public service. But in late January, she received an email, informing her that the program had been canceled. 22-year-old one of thousands of young people across the country affected by Trump administration Financing freezes and job cuts at federal agencies in the first weeks.
These executive actions have caused concern about college students and recent graduates, which made some overestimate their career plans. Despite the fact that it was previously interviewed with the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Department, Natalie is now reviewing his plans for future work at federal agencies, looking at the possibilities of NGOs and the Capitol hill. “The federal government is just not the way I see for myself, at least in the next two years, and perhaps Nation.
“Now I am more focused on state and local self -government, not on the federal government,” said Kin Benford, a freshman for political science and governments of Pear. “Especially with what is happening – the shooting of people will deteriorate – it is not very stable to enter this room.”
Now applying to work freezeInitially, on January 28, he came into force, headed the federal agencies to cancel many jobs, including thousands of legal internships and entry -level positions in federal agencies. In recent weeks, Trump also has dismantling US Agency for International Development, proposed Liquidation of the Ministry of Education and temporarily closed The Consumer Financial Defense Bureau, causing thousand additional work losses. This means a significant shift from a year ago when the Biden Administration updated The rules that have expanded the government’s internship to attract young talents.
According to critics, internship programs and entry -level employment opportunities will weaken the role of the government and sow distrust of the population in federal employees. Trump’s actions “are certainly trying to undermine public service and increase public hostility to civil servants”, according to Peter Levin, a professor of citizenship and public affairs of the University of Tufts.
“I imagine that ministry in the federal position of the executive will be a much less attractive opportunity for the majority, given the more unstable nature of these positions at the present moment,” said A. Benjamin Spencer, the Dean of the Law School of William and Mary Nation. He said several students in this year’s graduation class lost proposals for the Ministry of Justice and the nuclear regulation commission.
Mahir Rahman, Junior University Brown, who studies the economy, international and public affairs, said the recent financing and reduction of jobs has made the internship search process “much more complicated”. After graduation, Rahman plans to attend a medical school and hopes to work at a public hospital, but referred to the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE). close control Medicare as a source that causes anxiety. “It makes me want to consider different options,” he said. “Now there is only air uncertainty because people don’t really know what will happen next.” Natalie stated that the State Department did not provide terms when the internship positions would return – if at all.
“My plan was always going on Nation. “I intended to hold my career at the public service, in irony, because it seemed a stable option that would allow me to return my community,” they said. “Now I do not imagine that I am returning to public service if I have no other options.”
In 2024, 60 interest Young people saw a career on public service as a meaningful way of positive influence on their community. A separate 2023 poll showed that 29 percent from 18 to 29 years old Found work on public service attractive. “We know that the youth really wants to feel the goals in their work – this is what is particularly obvious to the Gen Z, and the public service can be a way of getting a sense of contributing to something more than you” Nation.
However, Trump’s latest attacks on public service can move these views. Levin explained that during Trump’s first term, his administration fought for the introduction of serious changes in politics from the Congress. This time, however, Trump’s team determined the ways to go through the congress, “canceling contracts, issuing executive orders that contradict federal laws and fired employees.” Levin added that young federal workers, especially those who occupy previous roles, are especially vulnerable, because they are easier to dismiss. “I also think that federal employment looks unattractive to many young people who may otherwise be interested,” he said.
Lynn Holdings, a student of the University of Pear, wants to become a federal judge, but noted that her research and work “feel that everything goes into the sewer. She is afraid of that executive orders Taking a diversity, justice and inclusion in the federal government, employers “may not be so fair when they see my application because I am a black woman from a low class,” she said.
“Only seeing how the White House and the Executive Authority work is very much concerned,” Benford added. “Do I not only get a career, but also they even treat me?”
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“The American dream goes out in a nightmare – especially for international students,” said Ayushi Umbare, a junior school from India. Umbara, a student who is interested in international relations in the States, is ashamed to return to the country within the current administration. “Long -term planning is impossible, and this uncertainty makes it difficult and it is more difficult to justify higher education and career in the US.”
Although the long-term impact of these extensive hiring cuts remains uncertain, experts involve a decrease in interest, interaction and representation in the federal government-likely purpose of the new administration.
“If young people are not expected to engage in internships and other work experiences to Hone Skills, Make Connections, and Solidify Their Interests In Public Service and Government Interest in that work and their ability to develop the Knowledge and skills to that Kind of Work in the Future, “Dr. Robin Jacob, A Research Professor at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan and Faculty Codirector of the Youth Policy Lab, Told Nation. “I think it is likely that we will see a decrease in participation and youth representation in the federal government and in general over the next few years.”
Levin believes that the restoration of public service can fall to the next generation. “At some point, the executive power will need to restore hundreds of thousands of new workers, many of whom will be young,” he said. “The restoration of the government will be the possibility and call of the Z. generation”
The hard and chaotic second term Donald Trump is just beginning. In the first month, Trump’s office and his Like -Elon Musk (or this is the opposite?) Proved that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar without checking strength and wealth.
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Katrina Vanden Hievel
Editorial director and publisher, A Nation
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