Last year, Quentin Adams, of Bowie, Maryland, was living his dream, developing websites and apps as a contractor for the federal government.
But when that job ended, it began one of the darkest chapters in his life.
鈥淭hey called me in the office and said, 鈥榊eah, your last day will be Friday.鈥� This was like Thursday. And I’m like, 鈥榃hat?鈥欌�� Adams said.
Adams, 61, had spent over a year building web applications for USAID as a contractor. He was let go unexpectedly last year, prior to this year鈥檚 DOGE cuts. While the exact reason for his departure wasn鈥檛 made clear, he was told there was no money left to continue his role.
At the time, Adams was earning a six-figure salary. Now, he is delivering food and online purchases for Uber Eats and DoorDash to survive.
鈥淚 go from that to $300鈥�$400 a week, not being able to afford a car note, not being able to afford a mortgage,鈥� he told 海角社区app.
He said the emotional toll of not being able to get back into a job in his field weighs heavily.
鈥淚t’s hard. It’s touching my faith,鈥� Adams said, adding that his church’s reverend helps keep him encouraged.
Despite 28 years of experience in software development, Adams has applied to many jobs he said with no success. At first, he believed the holiday season was to blame, but come January he realized similar positions were far and few between.
鈥淚 realized I put in application after application on job boards, and I guess there’s so much competition, we’re all vying for the same job,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 have software development skills; I have some business skills; I have some project management skills, but I can’t seem to get a job,鈥� he said.
While Adams lost his job last year, this year鈥檚 DOGE cuts have flooded the job market with thousands of newly displaced federal workers and contractors, making it even harder for him to find a position similar to the one he held.
Experts say the surge in federal layoffs has intensified competition for tech and contracting roles, especially in the D.C. region, where many rely on government work.
Adams recently received a job offer, but now fears it is off the table due to the current government shutdown.
As he continues to work gig jobs, he worries about losing his car and falling deeper into financial hardship.
鈥淪ometimes I wonder, what鈥檚 the end result? Yesterday, I started looking at bankruptcy possibilities,鈥� Adams said. 鈥淚f I file bankruptcy, what does that do for my potential clearance and getting my next job?鈥�
Still, he is thankful for the income he earns through deliveries.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something. At least it puts money in my gas tank,鈥� he said.
And he remains hopeful.
鈥淜eep hope alive. Stay close to prayer,鈥� Adams said. 鈥淜eep trying.鈥�
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