My Journey From Government Comms to the Financial World
By Heather G. Eaton
August 2025
After more than 20 years in federal service, transitioning into the private sector was one of the most challenging — and humbling — experiences of my career. While many of my skills were transferable, learning how to translate them in ways that resonated with private-sector employers took time, strategy, and a lot of trial and error.
I retired from the government at the end of April and planned to move directly into a government contractor role. When that fell through unexpectedly in March, it left me scrambling. As a single income-earner, even a few months without work felt like an eternity.
However, by late May, I landed a vice president-level role in corporate communications. Here’s how I made it happen — and what I wish I’d known sooner.
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Heather G. Eaton
Heather G. Eaton spent 20 years with the U.S. Department of State as a public diplomacy-coned Foreign Service Officer, serving in Japan, Poland, Italy, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as a foreign policy advisor to the U.S. military. On June 23, she began a new position as a vice president of communications in the financial sector and is a member of PRSA Tampa Bay. Connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/heathereaton.
