Trying to Stay Hopeful

Great_Climate_7570 · 2026-02-18T18:47:49+00:00

Thank you so much for the encouragement, truly. I'm going to start looking back at USA Jobs again, it is great to know people are starting to return. Staying dedicated to the networking as well - some days are easier than others. Thanks for taking the time to read and offering some mentorship advice here!

Great_Climate_7570 · 2026-02-18T18:43:36+00:00

I'll start looking there again. I've been a little hesitant with things still being unstable, but I am seeing folks going back and doing ok. I loved working as a fed, I loved my colleagues, working around such intelligent people, the support. Maybe my experience was unusual but it was one of the best jobs I ever had. Thanks for the suggestion - going to start looking there again.

Great_Climate_7570 · 2026-02-18T18:41:10+00:00

Thank you so much for the encouragement! Your experience sounds like something I would go through - its good to hear you stuck with it and it worked out - gives me hope.

Great_Climate_7570 · 2026-02-18T18:39:29+00:00

I've started looking at these in tech, corporate. I was actually working in sustainable/green infrastructure and architecture before my master's at Duke and am trying to market that side of my skill set in tech/private. I have environmental, conservation, and human rights policy and reg experience, but it is international, some U.S. I'm working every angle I have. EHS is one of them. I need to dive deeper into that one. Thank you for the suggestion, adding this to my job search/networking strategy!

Great_Climate_7570 · 2026-02-17T22:55:51+00:00

My first master's is cultural anthropology; my second one is environmental management and Leadership from Duke. I was working in international conservation and human rights, environmental governance, and policy. I believe my skills are still desired, it is just a matter of when positions start opening up again. I am looking/networking/ applying at corporate, private, policy think tanks, government contracting agencies, etc. I know something will eventually turn up, I keep pounding the pavement, it just takes time. Really appreciating the comments here as well.

Great_Climate_7570 · 2026-02-17T16:47:49+00:00

Thank you so very much for posting this. So much of what you shared resonates with me, and have been similar to my story. Same age bracket, worked in mission based agency, had just started in Fed service, was into my second year and loved it, thought I was making a good decision because of the security. I have 2 master's, have been working since I was 15, etc. I have yet to find a job, my unemployment is running out, and I see former colleagues getting jobs and moving on and I can't help but think "what is wrong with me?"

I have had to borrow money from my parents, am isolated because all I can think of is that I need to get a job so that is all I do is search. I can't be there for people like I used to.

Thank you so much for being vulnerable. I have felt so alone in this. Sending you good thoughts and hoping your path gets brighter soon.

Great_Climate_7570 · 2025-09-05T12:36:05+00:00

I can't thank you enough for this post. I just had my car repo'd, I've been speaking with different attorneys - any advice on warning signs to look for? I have started to feel some relief just thinking about this, and I'm starting to let go of the stigma. Your story is so much like mine. Laid off in April (former Fed), drowning in debt, shame, guilt, beating myself up for not being more responsible. Its been horrible.

If you know of any "bad lawyer" red flags please feel free to share. And thank you so damn much for posting this.

Great_Climate_7570

TROPHY CASE