"Have Spies": A CIA Leadership Lesson on Toxic Managers & Company Culture
A senior CIA leader once gave me the best advice: "Have spies." Here is why cultivating ground truth is essential for leaders, and how job seekers can use counterintelligence to spot toxic managers before accepting an offer.
From Government Leadership to Big Tech TPM: Insights from Ian Brelinsky
Curious about transitioning from federal leadership to a Technical Program Manager (TPM) in big tech? Former Google and OpenAI TPM Ian Brelinsky shares candid advice on translating your resume, navigating culture shock, and landing the job.
Why is networking SO hard?
Networking can feel vulnerable, awkward, and transactional, especially when you’re asking someone for help. A better approach is to stop treating it as something you only do during a job search and start building relationships for the long term.
What Am I Even Qualified For?
Leaving government can feel like walking away from more than a job. If you’re asking yourself, “What am I even qualified for?” these four lessons can help you approach your transition with more clarity and intention.
I Don’t Know What I Want to Do
“I don’t know what I want to do” is one of the most common things I hear from people leaving government. I said it too. Here’s what I learned from making my own pivot and helping others make theirs.
Stop Digging Random Holes in Your Job Search
Upskilling, rewriting your resume, and applying to more jobs can all feel productive. But without a clear direction, you may just be digging random holes. Here’s how to focus your job search on what actually moves you forward.
Philanthropy and Foundations Field Guide: Insights from Heather Haines
Breaking into philanthropy and foundations can feel anything but straightforward. Drawing on insights from Heather Haines, this field guide explores what government professionals need to know about navigating the sector, from transferable skills and hiring trends to networking, partnerships, and finding roles that aren’t always easy to spot.
Privacy in Tech Field Guide: Insights from Joyce Chen
I recently sat down with former Chief Privacy Officer Joyce Chen to demystify how privacy operates in modern tech. From the rapid rise of AI governance to effectively translating public sector skills for private sector success, discover how to navigate and break into this rapidly evolving field.
Tech Policy Field Guide: Insights from Chelsea Magnant
I recently sat down with Chelsea Magnant - Vice President at Breakwater Strategy and former CIA analyst and Google policy lead - to demystify how tech policy works in the private sector. From understanding the difference between public and product policy to translating government experience and pitch-perfecting your search, discover how to position your skills for high-impact tech policy roles.
Corporate Security Field Guide: Insights from Erin Thomas
Transitioning from government to corporate security? Learn how to translate your federal skills into business value with insights from a federal alum and leader in this field.
Navigating the Boutique Consulting Pivot: A Perspective from the Inside
I recently sat down with Meaghan Dolan from Eagle Hill Consulting to discuss a path many mission-driven leaders consider but few fully understand: boutique consulting. Discover how to shift your mindset from government stewardship to creative problem-solving, translate your public sector experience, and navigate the practical realities of boutique firm culture.
Demystifying Trust & Safety Roles
Trust & Safety (T&S) is a natural fit for government professionals looking to continue protecting others in the private sector. In this guide, we break down the tech industry's core T&S functions - from threat intelligence and policy to product and compliance - and outline the specific technical skills you need to land them.
Three Years of Reinvention: Lessons I Took from Leaving the CIA for Tech and Coaching, & DC for San Francisco
Three years ago, I walked out of the CIA after 15 years in government to move across the country and rebuild my life in tech and executive coaching. From navigating Tesla and OpenAI to building a coaching practice and making San Francisco home, here are five hard-won lessons on navigating career and life transitions with grace and intention.
Quick Resume Checklist
Before sending out your next job application, run your resume through this quick 3-point checklist. Learn how simple tweaks to impact, keyword alignment, and formatting can make the difference between being overlooked and landing an interview.
The Networking Barrier: Why It’s Easier to Give Help Than to Ask for It
Why is it so much easier to offer help than to ask for it? When you are job searching, reaching out to your network can feel vulnerable and awkward. Discover how to reframe your mindset around networking - from feeling like a "burden" to creating an opportunity for genuine connection - so you can confidently land your next role.