The onset of a new presidential administration brings about a new era for the nation and, with it, its government employees. As administrations change, so does a chunk of the federal workforce. This is especially pertinent for the incoming administration given former President Trump’s promise of hundreds
of federal employee layoffs.
The inauguration of former President Trump to a second non-consecutive term looms large over the current administration and the country as employees and political appointees like Administrator of the GLS Adam Tindall-Schlicht look on. “I am preparing for the transition, and I hope to serve as long as possible in the role,” he said.
Political appointees like Tindall-Schlicht are in a special circumstance as they serve at the pleasure of the President and hence, as a new administration enters, most of the time there is turnover. Non-political appointees, on the other hand, are a different case as they serve in what for the most part is a normal job, such as Ian Clark ’23, a Legislative Correspondent for Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio. “More opportunities
are open for me now given the trifecta, so I do have the option if I have interest in serving for the administration, or in the Senate,” said Clark.
While Clark works on the legislative side of government, the executive side is entirely another story. Working for the executive wing of the government is closer to working directly for the administration and hence carries with it some more risks of job security during changing administrations. “Our positions are fairly stable, but I also know that some people within the department are in a different more difficult spot given the previous administration’s focus on renewable energy,” said Dennis Fulkerson, a long-time contractor employee for the U.S. Department of Energy.
It can be difficult for people in the middle of their careers to find another job that offers the same benefits and pay. “Have I thought about doing something else, yes, but for where I am as a federal employee, I would lose a lot in the private sector,” said Sarah a current federal employee at the U.S. Department of Energy who has elected to be not named.
However, for those who are at later stages in their career, it can be different, “there is a record number of people retiring from the government at this time,” noted Sarah