For Gen Zers working in clean energy, recent budget cuts by the Department of Energy (DOGE) under the Trump administration have introduced significant challenges, requiring them to find creative career pivots. Aaron Yang, a 22-year-old NYU graduate, exemplifies this struggle. He joined the DOE in December 2024, working on grant programs for emerging clean technologies such as hydrogen, advanced nuclear, and long-duration battery storage. By April 2025, he had been laid off and then rehired before ultimately accepting a voluntary buyout. This turmoil stems from President Donald Trump's executive order, signed on January 20, 2025, which froze funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, a key piece of legislation aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition. Yang's rapid career ups and downs reflect broader trends affecting the clean energy sector. Tariffs and federal funding freezes have led companies to delay or cancel projects, with E2 and Atlas Public Policy reporting that nearly $8 billion in clean energy investments were canceled, closed, or downsized in the first quarter of 2025. This impacted 16 new factories for electric vehicles, batteries, and hydrogen, more than tripling the cancellation rate compared to the previous 30 months. The job market in renewable energy has also seen a decline, with a 20% drop in new job postings between January 2024 and March 2025, according to an analysis by Revelio Labs. However, some companies, like Tesla, are still investing in the energy transition, planning to build a battery factory near Houston that could create 5,000 permanent jobs. Zainab Mirza, a 2020 American University graduate, shares Yang's experiences. She was laid off from the DOE's Loan Program Office in February after transitioning from a contractor role. Mirza helped organize a job fair during DC's inaugural Climate Week, where over 1,200 job seekers met with more than 50 companies and trade associations. Despite the setbacks, Mirza remains optimistic about the future and encourages young professionals to explore diverse opportunities, including upskilling and incubators. Katie Mehnert, CEO of ALLY Energy, an online career and networking platform, notes that the energy industry is inherently dynamic. While the DOE may shift focus away from traditional renewables like wind and solar, it could still finance other areas such as nuclear, geothermal, and power grid resilience. Mehnert's platform recently partnered with Parallell, an AI-driven job platform, to help match job seekers with available positions more efficiently. Despite the challenges, financial commitments to the energy transition remain robust. Billions of dollars have been deployed to support sustainable and affordable energy projects. Mehnert emphasizes the need to quickly connect the best talent with these opportunities to minimize job market disruptions. Both Yang and Mirza are adapting to the changes. Yang is accelerating his pursuit of a master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University while job hunting, and Mirza continues her advocacy work and explores new career paths. Their resilience and adaptability highlight the determination of young professionals in the clean energy field, despite the current uncertainties. Industry experts believe that while the short-term impact of DOGE's cuts is concerning, the long-term trend toward clean energy remains strong. The ongoing investment and technological advancements suggest that opportunities will emerge, particularly in niche areas and through innovative solutions. For Gen Zers, the key will be to stay flexible, develop new skills, and remain engaged in a rapidly evolving sector.