Government Upheaval: What It Means for Your Career

By Valarie R. Austin, March 1st, 2025, 12:30 PM EDT

(Previously Published on LinkedIn)

If you are a young professional, recent government changes demand your urgent attention. Since Inauguration Day 2025, presidential executive orders have seized Congress's budgetary authority, empowered billionaire Elon Musk to oversee an unsanctioned Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and enabled mass firings of federal employees without due process. These actions have destabilized government agencies while Congress advances a $4.7 trillion tax cut proposal primarily benefiting high-income earners. The consequences will extend far beyond the firing of federal employees. If you are a professional in any industry, it is important to understand how these changes affect your career, your financial future, and the country’s economic stability.

How Government Powers Our Economy and Your Career
The federal government maintains important infrastructure, provides disaster relief, and protects national security. It supports essential services including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and national defense that touch every American's life. Despite DOGE's claims about eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse, no evidence supports these assertions.

Thousands of dedicated workers have lost their jobs, communities have been destabilized, and federal services are in disarray. With fewer regulators and auditors watching over government operations, taxpayers face increased vulnerability to corruption rather than protection from it.

Economic Ripple Effects: What Young Professionals Need to Know
The economy was already struggling, with store closures surging 69% in 2024, affecting Macy's, Family Dollar, and CVS. This troubling trend continues with layoffs at Southwest Airlines, Blue Origin, Chevron, and JPMorgan Chase, alongside store closures of Joann Fabrics and Party City in 2025. Consumer confidence has sharply declined as Americans face mounting economic uncertainty.

Now, tens of thousands of fired federal workers, many with specialized expertise, will enter this fragile job market. At the same time, states must find ways to offer employment opportunities or fund unemployment benefits for an influx of claimants who were never budgeted to receive assistance. This crisis affects every state and congressional district where federal agencies contract with local businesses, universities, and vendors. The ripple effects will touch your community, regardless of where you live.

Legal Questions Surrounding Federal Workforce Changes
Beyond the economic turbulence, these disruptive dismissals raise serious legal and constitutional concerns about the executive branch’s expanded power over the federal budget. The White House and DOGE implemented the mass firings based on unclear, capricious standards. Federal employees received no due process and faced vague misconduct allegations with no supporting evidence. Some were given just fifteen minutes to collect belongings, while others were locked out of work computers without explanation. Agencies vital to national security, public health, and disaster response have been crippled. The oversight of infectious disease response/control, educational support to students, and aviation safety is severely compromised. Firing federal workers en masse without succession planning is dangerous.

Beyond the constitutional concerns, these mass dismissals have created a human crisis with particularly severe consequences for one vulnerable group. This purge disproportionately affects military veterans, approximately 30% of fired workers, who transitioned to civilian roles relying on federal employment. Many are disabled and require accommodations rarely offered in the private sector. Their sudden dismissal is an attack on those who have already sacrificed for the country.

Your Action Plan: Steps for Career Protection in Uncertain Times
For young professionals, this situation highlights a harsh reality: job security is an illusion in today's volatile climate. Protect yourself by taking these essential steps:

1. Keep Your Resume Updated so your credentials remain current and marketable.
2. Save at Least Six to Twelve Months of Expenses to build a financial cushion for unexpected layoffs.
3. Know Your Company's Termination Policies to understand your rights and potential severance options.
4. Diversify Your Income Sources by considering freelance work or side gigs.
5. Advocate for Workforce Stability by staying informed about employment policies in your industry.


For fired federal employees, take these immediate steps:

o Contact unions, your state legislators, or legal representation for guidance.
o File for unemployment benefits immediately.
o Explore job search resources like Workforce Development Centers and online resources like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed.
o Seek financial relief options, such as loan deferments.
o Join community efforts demanding accountability.
o Prioritize mental wellness by seeking counseling services, support groups, and self-care strategies.


Analyzing Congressional Policy Decisions and Consequences
Despite this unprecedented chaos, Congress has failed to exercise meaningful oversight, subpoena officials, or intervene to prevent further damage. Instead of raising taxes on the ultra wealthy to fund the government and social services, the current legislative priority appears to be a significant tax reduction package, funded by gutting government services and worker protections. For decades, federal workers have faced threats of job instability due to shifting budget priorities. In 2003, the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents federal workers in various departments and agencies, warned against sacrificing federal worker protections to fund tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. The debate remains unresolved today.

Simultaneously, the Congressional opposition response has also been woefully insufficient. Offering job training and resume workshops while not addressing underlying policy issues fails to provide meaningful solutions to this constitutional crisis.

Creating Change: How to Advocate for Workforce Stability
This disaster extends beyond job losses to fundamental questions of proper governance and constitutional authority. With the Continuing Resolution expiring on March 14th, congressional Democrats have one remaining legislative tool: forcing a government shutdown to demand the restoration of federal agencies, their staffing and funding. Your voice matters in this critical moment to let your legislators know your wishes in this fight.

Congress should also:

o Subpoena and require DOGE officials to provide evidence justifying their actions
o Restore oversight mechanisms including Inspectors General
o Enact legislation protecting federal employees from politically motivated dismissals
o Investigate potential privacy violations from unauthorized system access


Conclusion
This moment is a wake-up call for every American, especially young professionals. The federal government workforce has been significantly reduced through executive action with minimal legislative oversight. The economic and social consequences will be substantial unless appropriate action is taken.

Regardless of your profession, the upheaval in government employment will have lasting consequences across industries. Protect your career by strengthening your professional connections, and advocating for fair workforce policies.

Now is the time to act. Contact your representatives and let them know where you stand. Your voice matters. Support workplace protections, and remain actively involved in shaping your professional future. A stable economy and workforce depend on those who are informed, engaged, and stand up for fair employment practices.

 

Valarie R. Austin is the author of The Student’s Comprehensive Guide for College & Other Life Lessons. She has a wealth of knowledge on the subjects of career and college preparation. She also conducts public speaking workshops as well as career and college readiness workshops for high school students, parents and transitioning military members. Check out her LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin/in/valarie-r-austin. Copyright 2025, Vauboix Publishing LLC. (Article 3 of 4, spring 2025)