Redefining My Service: Finding Purpose in State Government After the Fall of USAID

A reflection on what it took to reimagine my purpose after being forced to abandon my nearly 20 year career in international development

Hi I’m Milanga Abeysuriya. When I interviewed with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in 2019, it felt like a full circle moment. My two-decade journey in international development did not come easily. It was shaped by years of rediscovering myself, questioning what mattered, and overcoming many personal and professional barriers.

As a first-generation immigrant some people questioned why I wanted to work in a field that made me return to places resembling those I had left behind. Others questioned my expertise and experience, whether I measured up to the development professionals they were accustomed to receiving advice from, ‘seeing’ and interacting with, especially as a person of color representing US interests. I believe these subtle forms of discrimination are likely familiar to others who have had similar journeys.

In the midst of it all, I remained steadfast and continued to gain experience supporting programs in conflict, disaster risk reduction and human rights, which took me to some of the toughest places in the world. With zero personal connections, receiving an offer to join USAID as a Personal Services Contractor (PSC) felt like a massive accomplishment. I was honored and grateful.

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The Gathering Storm

Fast forward 5 years, none of us could have imagined what was about to unfold. I remember speaking with a close friend in early 2025, and quite naively saying that my job at USAID could not possibly be at risk. At the time, my work focused on strengthening USAID workforce capacity, advancing responsible data management and promoting evidence-based decision making.

Little did I know then that we were on the precipice of change - one that would take me back to the drawing board, forcing me to reimagine my mission of service.

The months following February 2025 were a whirlwind. I can’t quite capture the experience in words but can recall pivotal moments. One was the day I learned that some staff at the organization were being let go, while others were left hanging by a thread of hope– ultimately realizing there would be no resistance or pushback, and that our days were numbered. We shared collective sadness and empathy as we reconnected with friends and former colleagues, discussing what it was like to tell the communities and counterparts that funding had abruptly ended and to buckle up for the cascading effects to follow.

At the same time, I was deeply grateful to a few kind souls who showed me what caring truly meant. They showed up by sharing words of encouragement, checking in regularly, and connecting me to their networks (since mine had been obliterated in an instant). They were remarkable individuals whom I can count on my 10 fingers, and I’m forever grateful to them.

Finding My Way Forward

My circumstances did not allow me a ton of time to reflect or remain upset. I had to quickly pivot, and find work so that my family had health coverage and could pay bills. Yet I wanted to continue doing meaningful work, which is what drew me to international development in the first place.

Local and international NGOs were struggling, and despite applying to hundreds of jobs, I received zero callbacks! What I did receive was plenty of emails stating “We decided to go with a more qualified candidate.” Now I had applied to numerous jobs in the preceding years and had grown accustomed to getting these form-based rejection letters. The rejections I was getting still stung a bit, but they never stopped me from moving forward.

As the field of international diplomacy collapsed, I began exploring local, county and state level opportunities. With limited experience in this sector, I had much to learn about how these systems operate. That search led me to the Professional Outplacement Assistance Center (POAC) at the Maryland Department of Labor.

POAC provides free guidance, training and resources on career development, job fairs, recruitment processes, resume writing, and networking. I attended their weekly webinars and Wednesday sessions for former federal workers. Through these engagements, I learned about the hiring process of various state agencies and departments in Maryland. I discovered opportunities in local government and learned about the needs in our neighborhoods and communities. This need became even more evident when furloughed colleagues began seeking state assistance.

Eventually, I decided to apply to several roles within the Maryland state government. I quickly realized that the state hiring process was lengthy and quite slow. I applied through Maryland’s job portal and typically received only a thank-you email—then silence for months.

POAC taught me it’s acceptable to follow up 2-3 weeks after submitting an application, which I did. A few offices responded, confirming the process was ongoing. Most never answered.

I got my first interview callback about two months after applying. I had learned about Maryland’s preferred STAR interview method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) through POAC, which helped immensely. My contracts and performance management experience translated well, but I think the interview made all the difference. Of course, I then waited another 2-3 months for them to come back with an offer.

Lessons from the Journey

I am grateful for the opportunity to continue public service at the Maryland Department of Human Services working on emergency food assistance. Opportunities at the state level are limited, particularly in niche fields like program performance monitoring and evaluation, which has been the core of my career.

In this six-month job search, I learned that flexibility matters. If you are open to general program administration roles and have the relevant experience, opportunities are there at the state and local levels. It may not be your ideal choice. So, the decision depends on what you are most comfortable with, given your circumstances, priorities, and readiness for change.

So here’s my humble, unsolicited advice: Keep searching. Stretch beyond your comfort zone and reach out to someone outside your field or usual circle. Contact someone with whom you might make a connection. Volunteer for an organization that speaks to your heart. Stay persistent!

My biggest lesson of 2025 is that there is truly nothing to lose by trying. Rejections fade with time, but unless you try, you will never know who might open that door for you!

For information on resources the Maryland Department of Labor offers, check out these links:

• Overview of the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning

• MD Workforce Exchange

• State of MD Jobs

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To meet our mission of empowering you through this transition we’ve put together a team of former USAID colleagues who—just like you— are fighting to redefine their professional lives. We pay them a stipend ($25/hr) to develop resources, source content, run events, and whatever else it takes support our community. Without their efforts, Career Pivot would falter.

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