Jared Kushner says young people should work in government over Big Tech: ‘It’s a 2-year business school stint’
Summary
Former White House adviser Jared Kushner told the “No Priors” podcast that young people should consider working in government as a short, high-value career move — calling it “a two-year business school stint.” He said a government role accelerates learning, expands networks and sharpens understanding of regulation and policy, even if the immediate pay doesn’t match top tech offers. Kushner also noted the Trump team is bringing in private-sector talent to renegotiate contracts and save money.
Key Points
- Kushner framed government service as career-enhancing rather than sacrificial: a concentrated learning opportunity.
- He compared a government stint to an intense, practical business-school experience that broadens perspective.
- The immediate financial reward may be smaller than Big Tech or AI-startup offers, but the long-term professional value can be higher.
- Kushner said the current administration is recruiting private-sector experts to cut costs and renegotiate contracts.
- Interest in federal jobs has fallen — applications declined about 40% year-over-year among students — amid cuts and uncertainty under recent policies.
Content summary
Kushner argues that a short period in government gives young professionals hands-on exposure to policy, cross-sector networking and a deeper sense of how rules and regulation shape industry. He suggested that returning to the private sector after such a stint leaves people better equipped to navigate regulatory landscapes. The article places his remarks against a backdrop of declining interest in federal roles, citing data that show a sharp drop in student applications and ongoing workforce turbulence following departmental cuts.
Context and relevance
This matters if you follow career trends, public-sector hiring or the revolving door between government and industry. It speaks to wider debates about whether early-career professionals should prioritise high pay or strategic, resume-building experiences. It also touches on how administrations lean on private-sector talent to drive cost savings and operational changes — which affects contract work, public services and regulatory expertise across industries.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: because it’s a neat, provocative take on whether you should chase the biggest pay packet or the sharpest learning curve. Kushner’s phrase “two-year business school stint” is a tidy soundbite, but it signals a practical argument about networks, policy IQ and getting useful experience fast. If you’re weighing job offers or tracking how government hires from industry, this saves you a skim through the noise.