9 Plausible Alternatives to Government Jobs You Can Easily Switch To

The recent layoffs to the federal workforce have many people scrambling for new employment. While it can be daunting at first to transfer your experience in the public sector to the private sector, it is doable.

There are plenty of viable career paths for someone with a background in governmental jobs, from NGOs to think tanks to higher education to international organizations and local/state government jobs.

Here are eight alternatives to government jobs that you can switch to.

NGOs collaborate with governments and private companies worldwide to advance social, humanitarian, environmental, or advocacy goals. While they might receive funding from various governments, they operate autonomously.

Working for such an organization is a great way to transition out of working for the federal government, and it’s a very common career pathway. Although the BLS lumps NGOs in with nonprofits, the industry accounted for 12.8 million jobs, or 9.9 percent of private-sector employment, in 2022.

These organizations seek individuals with a government, public policy, international relations, or economics background. Think tanks research and analyze policy issues and provide recommendations to governments, businesses, and the public.

You’ll still be influencing policy from a different angle, so it’s an easy transition from the public sector.

There are still plenty of roles at the local or state level that need to be filled. The scope of your work would change, and you’d specialize more in specific areas. You’d be interfacing with city planners, municipal organizations, and other local services.

If you’ve been thinking of working on something that has a more tangible impact on your local community, transitioning is a great way to go about it.

Making the transition from government to higher education is another solid job move. Your policy analysis, research, and administration skills will make you a valuable asset to a university or college.

Depending on your skillset and background, there are many campus administration, teaching, and research opportunities.

Many larger organizations, such as UNICEF, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Monetary Fund, look for experts with government experience.

If you have a background in public service and want to continue down that career path on a more global scale, working for one of the larger organizations would be a smart move.

Consulting firms, large corporations, and independent consulting opportunities exist for former government professionals with expertise in policy, regulation, compliance, security, finance, and public affairs.

As a consultant, you’ll rely on your years of expertise in the government to help solve problems, improve efficiency, and achieve your client's or company’s goals.

Another option, which is badly needed in modern times, is to use your knowledge and experience from government work to transition into media production and journalism.

You can cover a lot of ground in the media world, from writing about public affairs to investigative reporting or serving as a subject matter expert for media outlets. You’ll have the power to get your voice heard while sharing your experience and expertise with the larger world.

A lobbyist’s primary role is to advocate for specific policies or regulations by engaging with politicians, government agencies, and regulatory bodies. You’ll be using your insights gained from years of public service to work on advocating for legislative changes.

While lobbying gets a bad rap in the media, it’s a critical part of civic life and influencing change on a governmental level. Just be aware of post-employment restrictions that may apply after leaving government service.

A government technology startup focuses on improving the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of government services. These companies create new software applications, modernize outdated systems, and streamline digital operations.

These startups need former government employees to help craft their products, so if you have an IT or computer programming background, this could be a great career shift into the private sector.

Changing careers is a daunting task, no matter what industry. While 

Shifting from governmental work to the private sector is not as scary as you think. Your skillset as a government employee can be transferred to many industries, hopefully lowering your financial stress. 

Determine where your abilities would be most useful and narrow down the specific industry and type of company you want to work for. Many other people have made successful transitions, so it’s doable.