The Department of Defense (DoD) is facing an urgent challenge: as a significant portion of its civilian workforce nears retirement, the department must find ways to attract Generation Z talent to fill critical gaps (after the hiring freeze, of course). Brynt Parmeter, the DoD’s Chief Talent Management Officer, has made it clear that attracting young professionals to the defense sector is essential for future success. During a recent panel, Parmeter highlighted how Gen Z, which values job stability, meaningful work, and comprehensive benefits, is a natural fit for the federal government, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, engineering, and logistics. However, there’s a disconnect—many young people don’t know about civilian opportunities at DoD or mistakenly associate defense careers solely with the military.
To bridge this gap, Parmeter is spearheading outreach initiatives and even piloted a program to attract cybersecurity professionals, which saw overwhelming interest from Gen Z candidates. But even with the enthusiasm, the department still faces the challenge of outdated hiring processes that hinder efficiency. To meet these challenges head-on, DoD is working to streamline its hiring practices and adapt its approach to better appeal to the next generation of public servants.
Layoffs: Microsoft
Microsoft has announced a temporary pause on hiring within its U.S. consulting unit as part of a broader cost-cutting effort. This move follows a round of layoffs affecting less than 1% of the company’s workforce, as Microsoft looks for ways to tighten its budget. According to an internal memo, the company will also reduce travel expenses, encouraging employees to opt for remote meetings instead of in-person ones. Additionally, Microsoft plans to scale back its marketing and nonbillable external resource spend by 35%. Despite these cuts, the company remains committed to investing in its artificial intelligence initiatives. This shift comes at a time when Microsoft’s consulting division has seen slower growth compared to its high-performing Azure cloud services and productivity software businesses, signaling an ongoing strategic adjustment to streamline operations while continuing to focus on innovation.
Hiring: Navy
The U.S. Department of the Navy is on the lookout for talent across a wide range of fields, offering hundreds of job openings for those looking to serve the nation. Whether you’re passionate about law, engineering, public safety, finance, IT, or other sectors, there’s an opportunity for you to make a difference. With diverse roles available, now is the perfect time to explore your career options and join a team dedicated to national security and innovation. Visit DON USAJobs to learn more and apply.
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Opportunity to Watch
Thomas & Herbert Consulting LLC (T&H) has been awarded a three-year mentor-protégé agreement (MPA) through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP), partnering with Fayetteville State University (FSU) and zSofTech Solutions, Inc. to deliver advanced Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) solutions. This partnership is set to enhance the capabilities of small businesses in the defense industry, providing them with valuable resources, insights, and experience from established defense contractors. T&H, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), will support zSofTech in developing innovative GEOINT solutions for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and broader DoD/Intelligence Community (IC) missions. With the guidance of MoveAmerica, a nonprofit focused on strengthening America’s industrial base, this collaboration is poised to make a significant impact, helping zSofTech grow its footprint in the DoD and becoming a trusted resource for mission-critical programs.