On March 13, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States. Schools and workplaces nationwide shut down with no definite date to reopen provided by the White House. The graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 faced unconventional junior and senior years of high school with delayed or canceled or virtual commencement ceremonies.
Now, in 2025, those students have reached the end of their undergraduate collegiate journeys and are eager for internships and entry-level jobs to join the country’s workforce. Yet, a new problem arises.
On January 20, 2025, the White House released an executive press release from President Trump that detailed the following message: “I hereby order a freeze on the hiring of federal civilian employees, … As part of this freeze, no federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, 2025, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or other applicable law.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 15% of jobs in the U.S. are in the public sector. In total, this accounts for roughly 20 to 22 million workers out of the more than 150 million employed in the U.S. workforce.
This hiring freeze has left many recent graduates uncertain about their professional futures. While the freeze applies directly to federal civilian positions, its ripple effects have impacted the broader job market, particularly for entry-level job seekers.
For those who navigated the instability of the COVID-19 pandemic during high school, the hiring freeze has increased competition for fewer job openings.
“I did everything I was supposed to do as far as internships and leadership roles … but now it feels like there’s nothing left,” said Imani Williams, a Summer 2024 graduate of Florida A&M University. “It made it hard for someone like me who was hoping to work in government communications.”
Though the hiring freeze specifically affects federal civilian jobs, it has created uncertainty within the private sector as well. Companies that rely on government contracts or federal funding have slowed hiring, while others have become more selective due to economic concerns. Recruiters at major corporations have reported an influx of applicants for entry-level positions, making it difficult for recent graduates to stand out.
Despite these challenges, experts say that the graduating classes of 2024 and 2025 may be among the most adaptable and resilient. Having already adjusted to remote learning, virtual internships, and pandemic-era uncertainties, these young professionals are no strangers to overcoming obstacles.
As the job market continues to shift, students and recent graduates are left hoping that this hiring freeze is only temporary. In the meantime, career experts are advising them to expand their job searches, develop in-demand skills, and remain persistent in their job hunt.