About 230 participants gathered at Marymount University’s Ballston Center April 8 for Career Forward, a one-day summit supporting federal employees and contractors navigating job transitions.
Hosted with Virginia Works, the sold-out event brought together regional leaders, industry experts and career coaches to provide practical tools and guidance amid ongoing workforce disruption. Marymount President Irma Becerra and Virginia Secretary of Labor Jessica Looman opened the event.
“We believe in the power of lifelong learning,” Becerra said, encouraging attendees to build on their experience as they pursue new opportunities.
Looman reassured attendees that “no one in this room did anything wrong. Especially during a career transition, it’s easy to lose sight of that. But this is not your fault, and you showed up today.
He emphasized that workers’ skills remain in demand. “The skills you’ve built in federal service — navigating complex systems, managing large-scale programs, working across agencies and serving the public — are exactly what employers are looking for,” she said.
Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said the region is feeling the impact. According to the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, unemployment in Arlington rose 51% from November 2024 to November 2025. “Arlington is a community shaped by public service, by people committed to something larger than themselves,” he said.
“This summit isn’t a reset button — it’s a bridge between one chapter and the next,” de Ferranti said.
Participants attended sessions on translating federal skills, navigating hiring systems, building personal brands and exploring new industries. Workshops also covered artificial intelligence in job searches, financial planning and career pivot strategies.
“At this moment, it’s really about identifying transferable skills and exploring what a pivot might look like,” said Nicole Overley, commissioner of Virginia Works.
For many attendees, the event addressed a growing need for support. Karen Esser, a former U.S. Department of Labor official who now advises the nonprofit FedsForward, said she saw early signs of widespread workforce disruption.
“I felt strongly that people were going to need support in ways they hadn’t previously,” she said.
Participants described both challenges and opportunities in their transitions.
“While this has been a setback, it’s also been an opportunity for growth,” said Anthony, a former government contractor.
Martha Horn, who worked on FEMA-related projects, said in-person connections were especially valuable. “The job search process has become pretty impersonal, so having the opportunity to connect directly with people is really important,” she said.
The summit concluded with an Action Planning Lab, where attendees created 30-, 60- and 90-day road maps with guidance from career coaches.
Organizers said the event reflects both an immediate response to current workforce needs and a longer-term commitment to supporting the region’s workers.
