Many people buy the idea that government jobs are low-paying. However, many public sector careers offer great salaries in addition to work-life balance.

CNN attended two job fairs in the Washington, DC, area recently. Many furloughed government employees at these events gave sobering accounts of the hardships they’re facing.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says the government shutdown has forced nearly 37,000 employees to be furloughed or work without pay, disrupting key veteran programs.

Federal layoffs push workers to private jobs as hiring slows, but key industries like tech, finance and health care continue to add positions.

Air traffic controllers and TSA workers are among the essential employees who are required to work during a shutdown.

From recruiting via social media and college internships to integrating AI into the workplace, public-sector IT agencies are finding new ways to recruit and retain the next generation of government professionals.

As the federal government shutdown persists, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will provide free admission to federal employees. Starting Nov. 1, federal government employees and their friends and families can enjoy the zoo for free. Each employee will receive free parking and can bring up to five guests for free.