It's been eight months since the Trump administration started shaking up the government, making deep cuts in the federal workforce. About 100,000 workers lost jobs and careers. So what are they doing now?

Washington

A wave of federal job cuts led to approximately 100,000 workers losing their positions, forcing many to seek alternative careers. Among them, Kevin Gash started a food truck business, Jess Henry turned a baking hobby into a full-time job, and Cameron Hillaker became a stay-at-home parent while searching for new employment. 

The transition has been challenging for those affected, with financial strain and the loss of stable government roles. While some have found unexpected fulfillment in their new ventures, others express a sense of loss over leaving public service, describing the experience as bittersweet.

Revisiting fired federal workers who found new paths in life

It has been eight months since the Trump administration, assisted by Elon Musk and Doge, started shaking up the federal government, making deep cuts in the workforce. About 100,000 workers lost their jobs and careers. So what are they doing now? Caitlin Huey Burns reports some of them have gone on to Plan B. Selling sausages was never part of Kevin Gash's career plan. This is a regular hot dog. But when he was fired from USAID, he quickly pivoted, starting a food truck aptly named Plan B Sausages. My industry was done. My career was done. So I had to make a radical change. That is a very radical change. I didn't have a choice. I mean, I had to make, I had to make my mortgage. I had some savings, but I got three kids. Jess Henry and Cameron Hillaker were also let go from the government. I thought I would work at USAID for the rest of my life. I fully intended to work out the rest of my career at the NIH. Henry decided to focus full time on what was once a side gig, ginger snap Jess cookies. I applied so diligently to so many jobs and I just kind of got to this place where I have to succeed at something because this is like banging my head against a wall. Hillaker's Plan B while looking for a new job, stay at home dad to a baby boy. It's been wonderful to be able to get to spend that time with him. I just wish I was able to spend that time with him with the stability and kind of knowing I would still get a paycheck. All three say it was a tough transition from what were supposed to be stable government jobs. I sat down the family. I said, there's going to be a lot of changes. There's no vacation. There's no summer camp. It's pinching pennies as much as you can. And I'll probably be picking up some part time work. Cash has made the best out of the worst. I turned 50 this week. I wish I would have done this when I was 30. Not so for Henry. I love that it allows me to be creative, but this isn't the position that you wanted to be in. No, this is not the position I wanted to be in. I wanted to continue to serve the public. A transition that's been bittersweet. Caitlin Huey Burns, CBS News, Washington.

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