USAID. The Department of Education. The U.S. Forest Service. These are just a few of the federal agencies whose workforces have been targeted by the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for significant cuts. Thousands of federal government employees have been fired in the month since Trump took the oath of office, and tens of thousands more have chosen to accept a “deferred buyout program,” which places them on paid leave until their official release in October 2025. Some agencies have even been told to prepare for staff cuts of up to 75%.

These massive reductions in the size of the federal bureaucracy are part of Trump’s workforce optimization initiative, which aims to eliminate “waste, bloat, and insularity” in the national government. And regardless of whether you believe these efforts to be effective or worthwhile, they have one very real impact on Vanderbilt students: fewer internship opportunities.

Dozens of Vanderbilt students intern at federal agencies in Washington, D.C., each summer, especially those seeking professional development or future careers in the law, policy, and social impact sector. Many more students who want experience working in social justice, human rights, or activism seek internship opportunities at organizations funded by the federal government, which distributed more than $300 billion to 100,000 nonprofits in 2023.

However, with the current administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce, freeze grant funding, and cut spending, thousands of groups—from local city councils to international NGOs—have reduced or eliminated work positions for students. After all, less federal funding means less money to pay students, and fewer full-time staff means less capacity to supervise them.

With the Trump administration’s continued focus on “draining the swamp,” these trends will likely continue. Vanderbilt students seeking internship opportunities in civil or government organizations will undoubtedly face stiff competition for a shrinking pool of opportunities in the coming years. In fact, students at other universities who had already secured internship positions in the federal government have even had their offers unexpectedly rescinded in recent weeks.

So, if you want a summer internship in the federal government or with a nonprofit organization, be warned: it will be more difficult than ever before. Consider seeking out opportunities from groups primarily funded by individual donors or philanthropic foundations, such as the Democracy Funders Network or Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement. And keep an eye on new positions using Idealist and USAJobs.

Best of luck with your internship search!