During times of uncertainty and transition, the Schar School Career Development team is here to assist you, whether you are a current student or alumni. Transitioning from a job or looking for a new career can be challenging, but they are also opportunities to explore new paths and continue to make a positive impact on our communities. The Career Development team at the Schar School is here to help you do just that. We provide services for career coaching, job searching, resume/cover letter reviews, interview prep/mock interviews, and salary negotiation. Our office also provides many workshops (in-person, hybrid, and virtual) on various career topics.
Upcoming Events
April 2025
Rebuild. Recover. Rise: Support Group for Former Federal Workers
Dates: Thursday, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, and April 24
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Sponsor: George Mason University Counseling Program
Contact: Shaunda Thompson
Register to attend the Rebuild. Recover. Rise: Support Group for Former Federal Workers event.
Losing a job is more than just losing income – it’s losing stability, purpose, and a sense of direction. If you’re a former federal worker struggling with uncertainty, grief, or stress, you don’t have to face this journey alone.
- Join this free 6 week support group to:
- Gain emotional support
- Rebuild Confidence
- Create a new resume
- Learn coping, networking and job search strategies
ACSN Presents Navigating Tough Times: How to Find Your Next Job with AI + LinkedIn
Date: Tuesday, April 22
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Virtual
ACSN (the world's largest network of alumni career services leaders) invites you to join LinkedIn's former head of Education Marketing, Jeremy Schifeling, to learn the insider secrets to navigate this challenging moment, including:
- How to shift your career to a new role or industry - even if you're not sure how to make the leap
- How to make sure your LinkedIn profile is ready - by focusing on the keywords that recruiters are searching for right now
- How to increase your chances 10X even when opportunities are scarce - and even if you've been laid-off
While the session will be recorded, just be sure to join LIVE since only live participants will be eligible to win a free LinkedIn Profile Makeover from Jeremy himself!
Bowie State University Spring 2025 Career Fair
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location:
Bowie State University
14000 Jericho Park Road
Martin Luther King, Jr. Center room 224
Bowie, MD 20715-9465
Elevate your career at Bowie State University's Spring 2025 Career Fair, presented by the Career Development Center! Connect with over 100 top employers eager to meet talented students and alumni like you. This is your moment to network, showcase your skills, and take the next step in your career journey. Don’t miss out; this opportunity could be the start of something great!
Why a skills assessment is your most powerful career pivot tool (hosted by Partnership for Public Service)
Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 6 to 7 p.m. EDT
Location: Virtual
We know that federal employees have many unique and valuable skills, but it can be challenging to articulate what you do and how you do it, especially in a new sector. This session will lead you through conducting a skills assessment to reflect on your skills and utilize the findings as a foundation for your personal brand, critical career tools, and job search strategy.
Managing the Traumatic Burden Among Us (hosted by Society for International Development-US)
Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Virtual
We have heard from so many people in the community that the changes in recent months are a shared trauma. In response, we are inviting the SID-US community to join us for a 60-minute virtual mental health session where Siddharth Ashvin Shah, Founder and President of Greenleaf Integrative, will share more on their integrative approach to understanding and addressing trauma. Siddharth leads from a lifelong passion for supporting helpers, protectors, and healers in their work. As a physician and public health scientist, he sees the often overlooked complications trauma poses in the public service sector, which is why he started Greenleaf.
- This interactive session will emphasize self-efficacy, nurturing the belief that individuals can take purposeful steps to manage the burden of trauma effectively. The session will include:
- Education on Trauma's Hidden Impacts: Learn about the often invisible effects of trauma, which we define as overwhelming emotional experiences that create a real or perceived loss of control.
- Body-Based Soothing Techniques: Practice two somatic methods designed to calm and regulate the nervous system: physiologic sighing and progressive muscle relaxation.
- Mobilization Against Helplessness: Combat feelings of helplessness and immobility, empowering participants to sustain meaningful action in community.
- Please note that this is an off-the-record virtual session. This virtual event is open to SID-US members free of charge and non-members for $10.
- Registration will close on April 23 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.
Networking Opportunity for Impacted Federal Workers and Contractors
Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Location: Arlington Economic Development, 1100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 1500, Arlington, VA 22201
Are you a former federal employee navigating the next steps in your employment journey? Join exclusive networking event tailored to displaced federal workers and contractors like you! This is your chance to connect with fellow professionals, share experiences, and explore new opportunities across various industries. You may have dreamed of opening a business, starting a nonprofit or simply creating employment for yourself. Whether you’re looking for guidance, support or simply a fresh start, our event offers the perfect platform to build meaningful connections with recruiters, industry leaders and peers. Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your network and set yourself up for future success. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities. Your next chapter starts here—sign up today! Space is limited.
Navigating New Beginnings: A Job Fair for Federal Employees
Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location:
Reagan National Airport, Historic Terminal 1
2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Road
Arlington, VA 22202
Join the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, in partnership with top DC-region employers, for a specialized job fair designed to support federal employees exploring new career opportunities. Connect with hiring managers from diverse industries, gain valuable career insights, and take the next step toward your professional future.
National Job Fair (hosted by Clean Energy for America)
Date: Wednesday, April 30
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: The Square, 1850 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
This dynamic in-person event offers professionals across various sectors — such as science, communications, technology, finance, policy, and more — the chance to grow their careers, connect with industry leaders, and gain valuable career development insights. This event is in-person, please only register if you intend to attend the event in-person.
- What to Expect:
- Employer Connections: Meet top organizations that are currently or intend to hire skilled talent across various disciplines.
- Career Resources: Participate in career-focused programming, including guidance from career coaches and resume reviewers, to help you stand out.
- Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with peers, hiring organizations, and industry leaders.
- Create your profile on Parallel with ALLY to get noticed by those hiring.
May 2025
Maryland Workforce Association Statewide Virtual Job Fair 2025 for Federal Employees & Contractors
Date: Thursday, May 1
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Virtual
State-wide employment event organized by the Maryland Workforce Association in association with the Maryland Department of Labor and the American Job Center & Workforce Development agencies in Maryland. This Virtual Job Fair has been organized in support of Federal Employees & Contractors seeking new career options and transitioning from their previous work involving the Federal Government. All jobseekers are welcome!
Hunt Like a Hero, Apply Like a Scientist: A Practical Guide to Finding Your Next Job in the New Social Sector (hosted by Society for International Development-US)
Date: Thursday, May 1
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Virtual
Recently laid off from your global development, public service, or social impact job? Looking for practical steps to land your next role while staying true to your values? Bad job search advice is rampant. Many well-intentioned coaches want to believe that the job search is all about your mindset, while resume writers sell you on “beating the ATS” with a shiny rewrite. These both miss the mark and lead to a long, painful job hunt. Executive coach Dan Freehling and social sector talent agent Spencer Campbell have developed a completely different and counterintuitive approach. It comes from what they've learned supporting hundreds of jobseekers. Their model is based on two truths: the job search requires both undergoing a personal transformation and finding your place in the market. To land your next job faster, and come out better for the experience: Hunt Like a Hero, Apply Like a Scientist.
- In this talk, you will learn...
- What to do first. We know how hard it is to be on the job market. We’ll provide guidance on how to regain your footing and start making real progress toward getting hired (it’s not endlessly scrolling job boards and polishing your resume).
- How to hunt. The job search is fundamentally a process of discovery - you must uncover your fit in order to get hired. You will learn how to create your 3 Fit Hypotheses and test them to refine your search.
- A better networking approach. We’ve all heard it’s not what you know, but who. This cliché fundamentally misses the point of networking. We’ll share why you're doing it wrong and what to do instead.
- Real-world resume advice. We’ll guide you on how to write an Effortlessly Readable Resume with the same template we use with clients.
- What really works. This method is what Dan and Spencer use with their job hunt clients and what underpins their forthcoming book: Good for You!
- Leave with answers to your toughest questions, free access to the same resume template we use with clients, and a plan for what to do next.
- Hunt Like a Hero, Apply Like a Scientist: A Practical Guide to Finding Your Next Job in the New Social Sector is a "pay what you can" event with a suggested donation of $10. Your donation helps us host events like these for our community. We understand that not everyone may be in a position to donate at this time, but if you are able, we encourage you to contribute at a level that is comfortable for you. Every donation, regardless of amount, has a meaningful impact on our small team at SID-US.
Congressman Don Beyer Presents: Rising to Meet the Challenge, A Job Fair for Federal Workers and Contractors
Date: Saturday, May 3
Time: noon to 3 p.m.
Location: George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Hosted in partnership with the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, Arlington County and Fairfax County. As many of our Northern Virginia neighbors navigate the uncertainty of a career transition, this job fair will allow individuals to connect directly with hiring companies. Ahead of the job fair, encourage individuals to prepare by watching this virtual webinar hosted by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority with various tips on how to optimize your resume, LinkedIn profile, and networking strategy to catch recruiters’ attention. Additional resources designed with federal workers in mind are available here, provided by FedsForward. To seek additional job opportunities, please visit this link.
Maximize your impact at networking events and career fairs (hosted by Partnership for Public Service)
Date: Wednesday, May 7
Time: 6 to 7 p.m. EDT
Location: Virtual
This webinar will guide you through the essential steps to maximize your impact at networking events and career fairs. You'll learn how to effectively research companies, plan your approach and make brief, yet impactful connections. Plus, we'll give you a sneak peek of the Partnership’s free Career Expo on May 15, so you can navigate the event with confidence and ease.
Virginia Career Works Northern Regional Job Fair
Date: Friday, May 9
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035
Calling all job seekers! Virginia Career Works Northern is bringing together employers from across Northern Virginia for a career fair.
- Featured employers include:
- AECOM
- Amentum
- CACI International Inc.
- Department of the Army
- Agencies from Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William County Governments
- Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William County Public Schools
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
- …and more!
Find Your Next Calling: State and Local Opportunities for Former Feds (hosted by Partnership for Public Service)
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT
Date: Thursday, May 15
Location: Virtual
Join us virtually on May 15 at our nationwide virtual public service career expo for former federal employees. This career expo is open to any former federal employee who is interested in continuing a career in public service at the state and local levels of government. The expo will feature opportunities from across the country in a variety of career fields for all experience levels from early career professionals to senior executives. The virtual event will allow jobseekers to visit booths with state and local agency representatives in direct conversations. The career expo will also feature multiple webinars on career development topics for job seekers to sharpen their skills.
Hire Vets Now Networking and Hiring Fair
Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location:
Fort Myer Community Center
228 McNair Road, Bldg. #405
Fort Myer, VA, 22211
This event is a networking reception and career fair offering transitioning service members, military spouses and veterans the opportunity to connect with Virginia employers looking to hire military talent. Participating employers are offering career opportunities in IT, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, defense, government, law enforcement and more!
Expand your Opportunities: How to Conduct a Long Distance Job Search
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Saskia Campbell
Executive Director
University Career Services
Resources
Schar School Career Development Resources
Tips for Navigating a Job Loss
Handshake – George Mason University’s job board features employers actively seeking applicants. Requires university email and password for login. If you have not used your George Mason email in three months, then you will need to reactivate it with Information Technology Services (ITS) by calling 703-993-8870. If you have never used Handshake, or if your Handshake account is disabled, please contact University Career Services (UCS) at 703-993-2370.
State/Local Resources
- DC Government’s Public Service Career Hub – One-Stop Support System for Federal Employees to Find Employment Opportunities within the District. The information has been curated specifically to assist public service professionals in finding new employment opportunities within the DC Government. The District of Columbia is dedicated to establishing a comprehensive job search hub that offers support and resources for public service professionals. This hub is designed to be an invaluable tool for job seekers with specialized skills and experience, identify relevant employment opportunities within the DC government. The employee hub prioritizes high-importance listings, focusing on roles that are in high demand, difficult to fill, and crucial for District Government.
- FFX/NOVA, Find a Job - From cutting-edge tech positions to purpose-driven careers, explore all open jobs across FFX NOVA where you can make an impact locally, nationally or globally — no matter your level of experience.
- Maryland Workers, Career Transition Support and Job Opportunities - Governor Moore announced that Maryland has partnered with Work for America, a nonprofit that helps state and local governments recruit and retain talent. Through Civic Match, former federal workers and campaign staffers can upload resumes and interests to the platform. Once completed, these individuals will have access to available job postings on the Civic Match platform and governments will be able to review these resumes to identify promising candidates. More information on Civic Match is available on this webpage. Recruitment events also offer a great way for jobseekers and employers to connect. Governor Moore recently announced a series of hiring fairs in partnership with counties and local leaders.
- Virginia Has Jobs - With over 259,000 open jobs, Virginia Has the Job For You. Find opportunities in Virginia by region.
Other Resources
Partnership for Public Service - The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C. whose mission is to inspire a new generation of civil servants and to transform the way government works.
- FedSupport - The FedSupport Hub is a resource for you—a centralized and reliable place where you can find answers to your questions, share critical information, build community, and most of all, respond to what you need now and in the months to come. Check back regularly for new updates and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
- FedSupport: Upcoming Events and Webinars - Our webinar series and virtual events will help you stay informed on the latest developments, connect you with experts on a range of topics, and answer your questions.
- FedSupport Weekly Newsletter - Each Tuesday, we will highlight resources on a range of topics that will help you navigate this time of uncertainty—whether you continue to serve in government or are transitioning to new opportunities.
- Career Pivot Bootcamp - This bootcamp provides participants with actionable content to guide them through a career pivot from the federal government to a non-federal sector such as private sector, nonprofit, higher education and state/local government. Participants receive training videos from career development experts at the Partnership, a wide range of career pivot resources and tools to organize their career pivot journey. Upon completing the program, participants will gain confidence and skill in all aspects of the career pivot journey, including elevator pitch, networking, resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, interviewing and salary negotiation. The content is fully asynchronous. Participants gain access to the bootcamp and go through the 7 modules at their own pace for 30 days.
FedsForward - Serves our federal workers with resources and support to transition into the next stage of their careers.
Civic Match by Work for America - Civic Match by Work for America is a nonpartisan program connecting federal workers and campaign staff with meaningful roles in state and local governments across the country.
Career Pivot Substack - State governors and public sector leaders are actively recruiting Federal staff, contractors, and consultants recently furloughed or laid off (or about to be) to state-level public sector jobs. Many states are expediting the recruitment process for those recently separated from their dream jobs in the public sector. Here are several states that recognize Federal government layoffs are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the US public and private sector to hire the best and brightest candidates right now.
Order My Career, 400+ “Hidden” Job Boards - Linkedin and Indeed are not the only two places to find jobs – “hidden” job boards have popped up to solve a major problem with having two major job boards: They got too big for their algorithms to find real results for people’s searches! Here’s where to find those jobs not on Linkedin/Indeed. Listed by specialties or industries, these boards are gold to bookmark!
Society for International Development-United States - The SID-US Professional Development Hub (PDH) is an online resource library designed to help jobseekers and professionals advance in their career. The PDH is broken down into a collection of virtual booths put together by different presenters, each covering a professional development topic.
Topics include:
- Building a Sustainable LinkedIn Presence
- Building Your Resume and Cover Letter
- Career Changes and Transitions
- Establishing a Mentor
- Unleash Your Humor to Ace Your Interview
- and many more!
The Professional Development Hub (PDH) operates on a "pay what you can" model with a recommended donation of $10. As a small team, SID-US directs 100% of contributions toward operating expenses. We understand that not everyone may be in a position to donate at this time, but if you are able, we encourage you to contribute at a level that is comfortable for you. Every donation, regardless of amount, makes a meaningful impact.