You’ve Been Laid Off from Your Federal Job. Now What? Advice for Women with PhDs
Logo and image of notebook with words “create your own path”, a cup of tea and a pen
Federal layoffs have upended the careers of many highly skilled women with PhDs. Whether your role was in scientific research, grant oversight, international development, or public health policy, you may be asking yourself: What now?
If this is your situation, please know: You are not alone. And you are not without options.
Agencies like NIH, HHS (including FDA and CDC), USAID, USDA, NOAA, and the Department of Education have experienced sweeping layoffs—displacing thousands of PhD-trained professionals across research, program management, and policy roles.
I've spent the past decade helping women with PhDs and other doctorates navigate career pivots, build clarity, and move into roles that align with their strengths and values. The journey isn’t always easy—but with support and strategy, it is absolutely possible.
Unique Challenges Women with PhDs and other Doctorates Face
Even with deep expertise and advanced credentials, women often face distinct barriers in career transitions:
Limited professional networks outside academia or federal service
Fewer direct sponsors or advocates
Cultural and gendered norms that discourage self-advocacy
Caretaking responsibilities that add complexity to the job search
Inner barriers like imposter syndrome, a harsh inner critic or a fixed mindset of being "unqualified" to do anything else
These challenges are real—but they are not insurmountable.
What to Do Now
1. Pause and regroup
Before diving into job boards or revising your resume, take time to reflect. Let yourself process what has happened. You are not starting from scratch—you are starting from experience.
Also: get support to grieve. Layoffs are a loss—of work, identity, community, and stability. It’s normal to feel shock, sadness, anger, or fear. You don’t have to push through alone. Talk to someone you trust—a therapist, coach, peer, or mentor—who can help you hold space for all you're feeling and begin to move forward with clarity and confidence. Recognize that these feelings will ebb and flow and resurface at unexpected times, in unexpected ways. Attend to your emotional and mental health so you don't carry a heavy burden into your job search process.
2. Get curious about what’s next PhDs are researchers by nature. Use that strength to explore:
What are your transferable skills?
What kinds of roles or organizations might align with your interests and values?
What do you want more of (and less of) in your next position?
3. Talk to others—especially other PhDs
One of the best ways to explore career options is through informational interviews. These are short conversations (20–30 minutes) with professionals who can share:
What their work is really like
How they transitioned out of federal roles
What skills and competencies are most valued in the type of work they do
Typical career paths and salary ranges
What it is like to create your own company or work in a start up
This research is far more powerful than scrolling through job postings—and it helps build connections you can tap into during your search.
4. Consider short-term training only where needed
If you discover a genuine skills gap, a short course or certification might help. But be cautious—many women overinvest in training when what they really need is clarity and confidence. You don’t need another degree to be hirable.
5. Consider starting your own company
For some women with PhDs, a layoff opens the door to long-deferred dreams of entrepreneurship. Whether it's consulting, coaching, writing, research, or launching a mission-driven business, your expertise can be the foundation for something entirely your own. You already have the skills—critical thinking, project management, deep subject matter knowledge. With the right support and a clear value proposition, building your own company can be a bold and fulfilling next step.
6. Lean into your support system
Career change is emotional. Reach out to friends, family, peers, or a professional coach. You don’t have to go it alone.
There are also free or low-cost resources that can offer valuable guidance and community:
State job services often provide career counseling, job boards, and workshops tailored to professionals in transition.
University alumni associations may offer career services, job listings, or alumni career networks you can tap into.
Regional chapters of professional societies can be a source of connection, mentoring, and job leads—especially in STEM and policy-related fields.
Join a group coaching program or support circle of women making similar transitions. If you can't find one that fits, create your own! These kinds of communities—whether formal or informal—can help you stay focused, motivated, and connected.
You Are Not Behind
This may feel like a setback, but it can also be a reset. A chance to define success on your terms. A moment to align your work with what matters most to you now.
You bring deep expertise, hard-won wisdom, and powerful resilience to whatever comes next.
You are not unqualified. You are in transition. And that is a powerful place to be.
If you’re a woman with a PhD navigating career uncertainty after a federal layoff, know that you don’t have to do it alone. I specialize in supporting women with doctorates to regain clarity, rebuild confidence, and create meaningful next chapters. If you’re curious about what coaching support could look like—or just want to explore ideas and resources tailored to your situation—you can learn more about me and my work at smartcareerdesign.com.
You’ll also find the option to schedule a free 30-minute consultation if it feels like the right next step.
