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Industry experts discuss career trends and transitions for federal employees

The Partnership for Public Service, in collaboration with Northeastern University’s Arlington campus, hosted a FedSupport webinar exploring current career trends for civil servants located in the Washington, D.C. area, who want to transition out of the federal government.

The conversation was moderated by Jamie Miller, CEO and regional dean at Northeastern University’s Arlington campus, and featured panelists from the Greater Washington Partnership, ClearanceJobs® and Collins Aerospace.

From manufacturing and biotechnology to health care and local government, panelists highlighted where demand is rising and how federal employees can position themselves to meet it.

Understanding growing industries 

The job market is evolving rapidly. While federal hiring has ground to a halt, several private and public sector industries are experiencing growth, including: 

• Advanced manufacturing, with major employers  expanding operations and increasing demand for workers with technical and managerial skills. 

• Biotech and pharmaceuticals, particularly in regions like Richmond, Virginia, which hosts hundreds of research and development facilities. 

• Education and health care, two sectors with ongoing workforce shortages and a range of roles beyond front-line teaching or care, such as program administration, operations and tech support. 

• Sports, media, and hospitality, with planned regional developments (like new stadiums and event spaces) projected to drive hiring in adjacent support and operations roles. 

In addition, there is increasing demand in state and local government, as well as in the contracting and consulting sectors. These environments offer a plethora of opportunities for federal workers. 

Highlighting transferable skills 

Federal roles often involve strategic decision-making, leadership in dynamic environments and navigating complex bureaucracies. Many of these skills are highly valued in the private sector. 

Skills that translate well across industries include: 

• Project and program management
• Policy analysis and implementation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Communication and stakeholder engagement 
• Emotional intelligence and adaptability 

These experiences can be tailored for nonfederal employers on resumes and in interviews, especially when backed by measurable results.

Preparing for change 

Federal employees considering a job transition should begin with a self-assessment. Understanding one’s skill set, career milestones and professional accomplishments can help shape a strong and clear career narrative.  

Building a career portfolio that highlights leadership, contributions to agency missions and team collaboration is a helpful way to prepare for future interviews and applications. 

Networking remains an essential part of this process. Employees should engage with professional communities, both in-person and online, and maintain relationships with former colleagues, alumni groups and industry associations. 

Finally, while some entry-level roles now require previous experience, internship and leadership development programs, fellowships, and rotational assignments offer early-career professionals a strong start.

Staying competitive in a tech-driven market 

As technology reshapes the job market, employees should build tech fluency. This does not necessarily mean learning to code, but rather developing comfort with new tools and platforms. 

Resources such as Grow with Google, Amazon Web Services certifications or university micro-credentials can offer accessible ways to boost digital literacy. Speakers suggested employees and prospective candidates research which credentials yield the strongest employment outcomes and use tools like the Credentials of Value Index to evaluate these options.

Using AI during a job search 

Many applicants use artificial intelligence tools to help draft resumes or prepare cover letters.  

While these tools can be useful for organizing ideas or improving clarity, applicants should ensure their materials accurately reflect their own skills and voice. Employers may also use AI to screen applications, so tailoring resumes to match job descriptions and using clear, results-oriented language is important.

To learn more, watch the full webinar featured on our FedSupport Hub.

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