Date: May 16th, 2025 8:45 PM
Author: CapTTTainFalcon
It’s 1:30 AM, and here I am writing a LinkedIn post when I really should be sleeping. But when your thoughts start racing, who can sleep? It’s been 108 days since I lost my job at USAID—not because of my performance, but because of the current administration’s decision to halt US foreign aid. It still feels unreal. Not even a dream, but a nightmare.
I spend my days caring for my mental health, going to the gym, walking my dog, and applying to hundreds of jobs—whether related to my field or not. When I don’t hear back, or when I know I meet every single qualification but still get rejected, it hurts deeply.
I didn’t endure grad school and take out loans just to not be somebody. There were times I thought I wasn’t enough. Thought I wasn’t good enough. But I am. I am still here. Still applying. Still fighting my way forward. That perseverance matters.
I’m not broken—I am enduring. Not pretending I’m fine, but being honest and still standing. That feeling of resilience is building inside me. I have hope that I will find the light at the end of the tunnel.
To anyone facing similar struggles: you are not alone. All the time and effort you put into your education, networking, internships, and growth have not been wasted. Soon, someone will take a chance on you and be blessed with everything you bring to the team. You matter. We matter. Never stop taking care of your health. We need you to be strong.
Thank you for reading. If you’ve faced similar challenges, I’d appreciate hearing your story or advice in the comments. And if you’re open to connecting or sharing opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5710384&forum_id=2:#48938157)