Summary
The Class of 2025 faces challenges due to changes in the U.S. government's hiring policies under the Trump administration. These changes have affected federal internships and funding for international development, altering career plans for students like Liam Powell, a global health major.
Key Facts
- Liam Powell, a student at Duke Kunshan University, received news that his State Department internship was canceled.
- The cancellation followed a hiring freeze across the U.S. federal workforce, ordered by President Trump.
- The hiring freeze was part of efforts to cut perceived government waste and inefficiency.
- The changes have created uncertainty for college students entering the job market.
- Powell previously interned with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which saw funding cuts.
- Thousands of USAID employees were laid off due to these funding reductions.
- Powell and his peers had to reconsider their career paths in light of these changes.
- Powell faced difficulties accessing data for his thesis due to changes in agency documentation.
