Jackson Kuster, a student at Miami University, experienced firsthand the arduous process and time-intensive application for federal internships. Managing to successfully navigate interviews during his winter break, he was offered a position with the Administrative Department of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. That role turned out to be his only accepted internship application. However, before he could celebrate his achievement, he received news that the position was no longer available due to a hiring freeze passed under the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump enacted a 90-day freeze on federal hiring as part of a larger strategy led by Elon Musk, part of the Department of Government Efficiency. The objective was to significantly decrease the federal workforce and put a hold on an immense amount of federal grant funds. The unprecedented action of freezing federal hiring, combined with a wave of dismissals, has made a significant impact, including the elimination of many jobs and the suspension of numerous others.
Students on the verge of starting internships or kicking off their career with government roles have found this situation particularly crushing. The imminent changes to funding and alterations to research grants are expected to create challenges for graduate programs. This leaves many students pondering what choices remain for them in this evolving landscape.
Historically, the U.S. government has been known to offer a plethora of internships to cultivate the next generation of public employees. Many of such internships are listed on the USA Jobs portal. Kuster is among the multitude of students who, after having secured internships, found them cancelled just months before their start date. This abrupt turnaround has left him without any summer job plans, which are frequently considered stepping stones to full-time employment.
Addie Murphy, a fellow Miami University student focusing on health science, had a similar experience. She procured a position as a research assistant at the Miami Veterans Association, only to have it subsequently rescinded due to the freeze. Although she continues to offer her services at the VA on a voluntary basis, the freeze means she lost her official status as an employee and her primary source of income.
The freeze on hiring is not the only concern. Warnings about funding cuts have resulted in some universities reconsidering, delaying, or in some cases even revoking admissions to their graduate and doctorate programs. This uncertainty around funding has been sparked by a memo released by the administration. The memo suggested that the National Institutes of Health cap their indirect costs, which include operational and administrative research expenses, at a limit of 15%.
South Florida’s universities face a serious risk of losing significant funding if this suggested cap is implemented. This would lead to notable financial strain for these institutions and potentially impact the quality of education and research they provide.
Among the students considering postgraduate education is Victor Jaimes, a second-year student at Miami University. Jaimes, who has long planned to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics, now finds himself uncertain about his future prospects in academia. With only two years remaining before his graduation, he is already becoming disillusioned about potential opportunities within his chosen field. He is not alone in facing these concerns.
In light of these challenges, students are considering alternatives and many are shifting their focus towards the private sector. However, with the job market now more competitive than ever, breaking into the private sector is far from a smooth transition.
One such student at Miami University had hoped to contribute to medical research during a summer internship at the NIH, focusing on cancer or infectious diseases. That opportunity now seems off the table, and he too is looking at private sector options.
Across universities, the stories are similar. The hiring freeze, coupled with looming threats of funding cuts, has thrown many students’ plans for a loop. For these students, navigating the shifting landscape of the job market, be it private or government sector, presents a major challenge.
These policy decisions, originating from the highest offices of government, have immediate and tangible impacts on the ground level. As evidenced in the plights faced by these students, decisions made in the corridors of power reverberate through the halls of universities and into the lives of young hopefuls embarking on their career journey.
With such significant changes to job and internship availability, as well as funding fears for education, it’s clear that the foundation of student career pathways is being reshaped. This, in turn, results in an education system and job market which is more competitive and uncertain than it perhaps has ever been.
While some remain optimistic and continue to volunteer their skills, there is an undeniable sense of disappointment as prestigious internships and job offers are retracted. Even for those who secured their positions, the freeze instills a profound sense of insecurity, wondering when or if the freeze will be lifted, and what the landscape will look like when it does.
Despite the uncertainties, these students are holding steadfast to their dreams, even if the path to achieving those dreams is now filled with obstacles. It’s a testament to their resilience as they explore alternate avenues, revise their plans, and continue to strive for career success amidst challenging times.
In conclusion, the governmental hiring freeze and potential funding cuts have presented both students and institutions with novel challenges. Regardless, these students are showing remarkable adaptability in their pursuit of education and career goals. Only time will reveal how this will shape the future of these industries and the paths of those who hope to enter them.