Washington, D.C. – In a wave of recent layoffs at the U.S. State Department, thousands of workers find themselves navigating an uncertain job market.
The reductions, attributed to budget reallocations and a shift toward streamlined operations, have left many former employees seeking new career paths.
Amid this transition, echoes of past advice from former President Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign resonate, when he suggested that laid-off coal workers could pivot to coding.
Today, experts and policymakers should be proposing similar reinvention for displaced State Department workers, pointing to opportunities in technology and high-paying physical labor sectors like farming, housekeeping, and restaurant work.
The layoffs, affecting an estimated 2,500 employees across various administrative and support roles, come as part of a broader effort to optimize federal spending. While the move has sparked criticism from labor unions, career transition experts are encouraging affected workers to view this as an opportunity for reinvention.
President Biden’s 2020 remarks to coal workers in Pennsylvania—“Anybody who can go down 3,000 feet in a mine can sure as hell learn to program as well”—have resurfaced as a touchstone for this moment.
Though the comment drew mixed reactions at the time, it underscores a broader push toward reskilling workers for the digital economy. Coding bootcamps, many of which offer accelerated programs lasting 12 to 24 weeks, have become a popular option for career switchers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers earn a median annual wage of $127,260, with job growth projected at 25% through 2032—far outpacing other sectors.
For those less inclined toward tech, physical labor jobs offer another promising avenue. Industries like agriculture, hospitality, and food service are experiencing labor shortages and, in some cases, offer competitive wages.
For example, farmworkers in specialized roles, such as operating advanced agricultural machinery, can earn upwards of $60,000 annually in certain regions. Housekeeping roles in high-end hotels or private residences often provide benefits and wages averaging $40,000-$50,000, while restaurant workers, particularly in fine dining or management, can see earnings exceeding $70,000 with tips and bonuses.
The transition isn’t without challenges. Critics argue that Biden’s “learn to code” mantra oversimplifies the barriers to entering tech, such as the cost of training or age-related biases in hiring. Similarly, physical labor jobs, while lucrative for some, often come with demanding hours and limited upward mobility.
The State Department has pledged to support laid-off workers through severance packages and access to federal retraining programs.
As these workers chart their next steps, the message is clear: whether through coding or high-demand physical labor, opportunities abound for those willing to adapt. For many, this moment of disruption could lead to a brighter, more dynamic career future.