From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
A new effort underway in the federal government to expand its workforce to include more Gen Zers, and SEMA is encouraging Gen Z to consider federal opportunities where they can be an ally to the car community.
The program presents an exciting opportunity to ensure a greater understanding of automotive issues within various agencies and offices.
Recent data shows that just 7% of the federal workforce is under the age of 30 compared to 22% in the private sector. A new Trump Administration effort to grow that number is presenting an attractive career path for young people, especially those who understand and value American car culture.
The effort aims to rebuild what officials describe as a dangerously thin "early-career pipeline" in the federal workforce. This gap has raised concerns about long-term institutional knowledge, workforce sustainability and the government's ability to compete with the private sector.
Make Government Cool Again
According to officials, the goal is to "make government cool again" and recognize that Gen Zers view federal employment differently than previous generations. To execute this vision, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which manages the federal civil service and coordinates recruiting of new employees, recently launched an "Early Career Talent Network," a centralized platform designed to connect students and recent graduates with federal job opportunities. EarlyCareers.gov offers a portal that connects students and young people to the larger federal workforce jobsite, USAJobs.gov
The platform aggregates openings across key fields where the government is struggling to hire, including areas that could be appealing to gearheads and others with a passion for American car culture:
- Technology
- Finance
- Human resources
- Project management
- Contracting
The idea is simple: meet young workers where they are, streamline the hiring process and present public service as a viable career path. This approach also builds on earlier efforts like the administration's "Tech Force" initiative, which sought to bring early-career technologists into government roles focused on AI and digital modernization.
If you have questions, contact Juan Mejia, SEMA senior manager for federal government affairs, at juanm@sema.org.
