Howard County is home to thousands of federal workers, contractors, and people impacted by the mass federal cuts. Howard County has been disproportionately and deeply impacted by the wide-sweeping federal actions, including mass firings, reductions-in-force, federal aid cut-offs and more. The large number of attendees at our second career fair for impacted people shows that urgent action is needed to support our residents who are suffering the consequences of the federal actions. Howard County will continue to provide meaningful resources to help residents navigate their next steps.
In total, 75 vendors attended, representing sectors ranging from healthcare to IT to wellness and more. New to this fair was utility company BGE, who consolidated their previously planned Open House to participate in the federal job fair instead. BGE offered both professional services such as interviewing techniques and tips, as well as assistance for energy bills.
“We are proud to have hosted the federal workers job fair at Howard Community College and to see it make a meaningful impact in the lives of so many in our community,” said Howard Community College President, Dr. Daria J. Willis. “This event reflects our College’s commitment to being a resource and partner in building a stronger, more resilient future for everyone we serve.”
Other new businesses who participated included Success in Style, a wardrobe consultation company that offers personal styling services for job interviews and the workplace, and HealthCare Access Maryland, which provided information and assistance on navigating healthcare coverage.
Attendees also had an opportunity to attend several classes and workshops, tailored to empower attendees look for and land new jobs. Sessions included resume critiques, personalized career counseling sessions and networking opportunities. In addition, the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance held two 45-minute sessions on how to navigate unemployment insurance for federal workers.
The Howard County Office of Workforce Development is proud to support our federal workers during this challenging time. Last night’s Federal Workers Career Fair at HCC, which we were honored to co-host, reaffirmed our commitment to providing meaningful assistance through personalized career counseling, access to critical resources, and direct connections to local employers. In response to increased need, we are also expanding our counseling services and extending hours for resume reviews and other career readiness tools to ensure federal workers have the support they need to navigate their next steps with confidence.
Many former federal workers may need assistance adapting their resume for the private sector. The Professional Outplacement Assistance Center hosted a workshop focused on tailoring resumes, writing cover letters, and optimizing documents for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). The session also introduces AI tools to enhance resumes, with an emphasis on transferable skills and quantifiable achievements for success in both private sector and government job markets. Lastly, attendees could attend Budgeting 101: Making Sense of your cents on how to manage your finances with practical budgeting tools and strategies.
Free childcare was provided by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks for parents to peruse the fair without having to worry about bringing their children. Todd Dring Photography offered free professional headshots on site, while Howard County Economic Development Authority allowed attendees to make appointments for future headshots.
The career fair is Howard County’s second since President Trump took office in January 2025, imposing a flurry of executive orders that have dramatically slashed the federal workforce. A federal workers job fair held at HCC in February attracted 600 attendees and more than 50 employers. Howard County has hosted two Federal Workers Forums, one in February and one in March. The most recent one was attended by United States Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth at Howard Community College, drawing thousands of participants in person and online.
“This career fair meets a critical community need — connecting highly qualified federal workers with local companies ready to hire,” said Jennifer Jones, President of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “It’s a strong example of how partnerships drive economic resilience by turning challenge into opportunity.”
The Howard County Office of Workforce Development is offering extended career counseling, resume assistance and LinkedIn training.
Additional ways Howard County is helping impacted federal workers:
- The Department of Recreation & Parks is expanding its before and after-school care, which is currently available at 23 elementary schools in the county.
- The Community Action Council of Howard County's Food Bank is providing pre-bagged shelf-stable food for federal employees for up to three months.
- The Department of Housing and Community Development is offering direct support for federal workers facing unexpected financial crises through foreclosure prevention funds.
- Flash Bus Rapid Transit Expansion (Howard-Montgomery County Partnership)
- US-29 Corridor to Silver Spring approved & moving forward.
- Anticipated launch in 2026, providing federal workers direct access to Washington-area transit services.
- 988 Crisis Line is open for anyone seeking mental health support during this period of uncertainty.
- Howard County Government will consider requests to change elections in flexible spending accounts (FSA) for childcare if an employee has experienced a significant change in their childcare arrangements.