This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Hannah August, a communications consultant and former White House employee. Business Insider has verified her employment. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I got my first job in 2006 working up the ranks in the US Senate press office.
A mentor hired me as his deputy at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and then I was hired as the press secretary for the Department of Justice at the beginning of the Obama administration. While there, I collaborated with the White House, which later recruited me as the President’s regional communications director in 2010.
After six months, I became the First Lady’s press secretary. I’d studied international relations, but most of my experience came from learning on the job from mentors.
My work with President Obama focused on economics. Working for the First Lady, I engaged more with consumer-focused media, like TV shows, magazines, and children’s programming. My main remit was “Let’s Move,” an initiative tackling obesity, as well as events at the White House, such as the Easter Egg Roll, state dinners, and music events.
Long hours and high pressure burned me out
When the government is working well, which I think it often does, federal workers can see their contributions are directly impacting people. I enjoyed making positive changes and every day was different.
That said, the hours were long, and the stress levels were high. The biggest stress was a feeling of needing to be perfect because any mistake would be amplified. Having a huge spotlight on everything I did was a lot of pressure. I was on a plane at least once a week, and it was crazy busy.
After five years in the administration, including nearly three with the First Lady, the payoff stopped feeling worth it. I was burned out and tired. I wanted better work-life balance and less pressure.
There were White House lifers, but plenty of people left the administration after a couple of terms to go into the private sector.
I considered a total pivot, but the 2016 election refocused me
There’s no singular approach to making the switch. I didn’t have a specific job in mind, but I wanted meaningful work, balance, and to stay in D.C.
I cast a wide net, met with many people, and had countless coffees.
My role at National Geographic Kids came from a past collaboration — while at the White House, I helped organize a Guinness World Record attempt with them. It was for the most people doing jumping jacks. When they were crafting a lead marketing role for kids and family products, my experience made me a natural fit. There was no job posting, but conversations led to interviews and the role.
I’d always wanted to work at National Geographic, but after two years, I realized the culture was too slow. I took a year to explore my passions — studying interior design, directing a play, shadowing a real estate developer, and training my dog as a therapy dog.
I was considering a total career shift, but Trump’s 2016 election refocused me on using my skills for good. I became director of communications at an NGO for global gender equality, and two years later, I founded my communications firm, Jellyfish Strategies.
I missed the energy and life of government, but you couldn’t pay me to go back
When I switched to the private sector, I was surprised there was often more bureaucracy than in government. There’s sometimes a misconception of government as a place where nothing gets done, with millions of files and forms to make anything move. There’s always room for improvement, but from my experience, it was effective and smooth.
No one in government does it for the money. Overall, my salary has increased since leaving government work. I was also surprised that even though I left the government for a better work-life balance, I missed the energy of politics. I still find working with my clients exciting, but I’m just working with a different vibe in general. I have a six-year-old.
My advice to federal workers
It’s a tough time for folks who have been cut adrift from their federal roles. Being pushed out is disheartening, but know that many appreciate your work.
In terms of the way I viewed and narrativized my move out for the White House, Mrs. Obama gave me great career advice: at different life stages, you’ll need different things — challenge, stability, balance, or money. Sometimes, just focus on the next job and go from there. Your needs will evolve, so stay open to change.
Another mentor, Maria Cristina “MC” González Noguera, worked at Estee Lauder before joining the First Lady’s team. She had to learn how her skills applied to government. She told me that many of the skills I had developed were transferable to the private sector, but the people hiring me may not see that instantly. You really have to spell it out.
For example, managing “executive communications” wasn’t a term I used in the government, but that was part of my role for the Attorney General and First Lady. MC helped me tweak my résumé to match corporate language.
Networking is invaluable, both with people you know directly and mutual connections. There were lists of Obama alumni, and I imagine now networks are being set up for federal workers who are out of a job. Be sure to follow up strategically — don’t hound people, but check in occasionally to stay on their radar.
Be open to geography moves. There are lots of people in D.C. suddenly out of a government job, and not enough industry to absorb them. Definitely explore potential moves to other places if you can.
If the private sector isn’t for you, consider local government work, which can do a lot of good and help you continue giving back to the country. I hope that lots of people do consider that shift.
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