Career Planning in Times of Transition

Facing an unexpected career shift? Don't just react — take control and plan your future! This workshop is designed specifically for federal employees navigating unexpected career transitions. In this workshop, you will do what you do best: think, plan, and act! You'll learn to pinpoint your transferable skills, explore career paths beyond your current field, and master essential job search tools including LinkedIn and artificial intelligence. We'll also help you identify any skills gaps you may have and how to close them — it might be easier than you think. Walk away with actionable strategies to research new opportunities and confidently plan your next professional move. Register today and chart the next course in your professional journey.

SPA is offering this workshop free of charge to support our community through these challenging transitions. Please be aware that space is limited to 30 participants to allow for personal attention and guidance from the facilitators. Every seat is valuable and in high demand from fellow federal service colleagues navigating uncertain career paths. Therefore, we ask that you carefully consider your commitment before registering. If you reserve a spot but are unable to attend, you may inadvertently prevent someone else facing job displacement from accessing this critical support at a time when they may urgently need it. Please register responsibly, keeping in mind the limited availability and the needs of your peers.

Dr. Trace Lasley is a Professor of Practice in the Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy Program at the School of Public Affairs at American University. As the creator and leader of SPA's Professional Development Workshop Series, he has extensive experience in workforce development, designing and delivering workshops focused on critical career skills for public service professionals. These workshops cover areas such as career planning, resume writing, interviewing techniques, and professional networking.

Dr. Lasley’s expertise is rooted in practical application, emphasized through hands-on learning in his courses and extracurricular programs, which include risk analysis, strategic planning, and project management. He leverages this experience to equip individuals with actionable strategies for career advancement and transition.

Matthew Mead is the Chief Administrative Officer at Ridgeline International. He is an experienced human capital leader with a proven track record in talent acquisition and management. He has led teams of up to 90 recruiters, successfully hiring upwards of 5,000 people per year across various organizations. Matthew has held human capital leadership roles at ManTech, PAE, and SOS International, where he developed and implemented strategies that aligned talent initiatives with business objectives to drive extraordinary results.

With extensive experience in recruitment and workforce development, Matthew is uniquely equipped to guide job seekers in crafting compelling resumes and navigating today's competitive job market. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Canisius College and a certificate in Mergers and Acquisitions from Columbia University.