Young adults find it difficult to find good, well-paying jobs.
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in a TikTok viral videoLohanny Santos, a member of Gen Z, broke down in tears as she shared an update on her post-graduate job search, an experience she says has “humbling” her. Santos, who earned two degrees from Pace University and speaks three languages, stood there with a stack of resumes, after many failed attempts to land an in-person job at various minimum-wage jobs.
Young adults are having a hard time finding good, well-paying jobs. The job market is extremely competitive as more and more Americans earn college degrees. Additionally, employers require unrealistic professional experience for entry-level positions, making it difficult for recent graduates to compete in the job market. If you search for “entry-level” jobs on LinkedIn, you’ll see job postings that require three to five years of relevant experience or more.
A 2023 University pulse survey A LendEDU study found that less than half of all college graduates are confident about their career prospects after leaving campus.
Two in five recent graduates say their colleges did not adequately teach them the skills to navigate emotionally and mentally a transition into the workforce, an independent survey by the Mary Christie Institute found.
Unemployed or overemployed
A recent report by Intelligent, an online magazine dedicated to student life, revealed that 38% of employers Avoid hiring recent college graduatesAbout 58% of managers, directors and executives in the United States say this group is not prepared for the workforce.
According to surveyed employers, young adults fail to maintain eye contact during job interviews, have unrealistic salary expectations, dress inappropriately for job interviews, refuse to turn on their cameras during virtual calls, and some recent graduates even bring their parents to interviews.
“Employers need to recognize that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, young people graduating from college have experienced more than two years of disruption to their education, as well as their social and professional development,” said Diane Gayeski, Ph.D., professor of strategic communications at Ithaca College.
Even as young adults grapple with the aftermath of a global pandemic, the unemployment rate for recent graduates has been low compared to other demographic groups. Since 1990But that gap has widened recently, the Washington Post reported.
The disparity can be attributed in part to the fact that sectors experiencing talent shortages are not necessarily industries that recent graduates want to work in. Meanwhile, booming sectors, such as the tech sector, are experiencing staggered layoffs.
The number of young adults who are underemployed (working in jobs below their skills or ability) rose to 40% in 2023, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Frustrated and discouraged
A Reddit post under the title “Why is it SO HARD to find an entry-level job?” reflected on a recent graduate’s frustration with job hunting, having applied to over 500 positions and receiving minimal responses. The thread highlights the challenges of landing entry-level positions despite having a bachelor’s degree.
u/Rapadapto, who has a double degree in economics and data analytics, wrote: “I have no professional work experience, but I have worked 3-4 service and administration related jobs and have acquired a lot of skills throughout my academic career. I know I would fit in well in a professional environment, but I just can’t seem to find that game-changing opportunity. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but why would employers turn down someone with a bachelor’s degree for a job that pays $30k a year? Am I really that underqualified in the job market right now? I would desperately like to avoid going back to fast food services, but that seems to be my only option currently.”
The Reddit user added that out of over 500 positions they applied for, only two interviews were granted. On both occasions, the person was ignored and received no response or feedback as to why they were ignored.
How recent college graduates can gain work experience
By following the paths below, recent college graduates can proactively gain work experience, develop their skills, and increase their marketability to potential employers as they navigate the job search process.
- Getting internships in your field of study or interest can provide valuable practical experience and help bridge the gap between education and employment.
- Participating in volunteer work allows graduates to develop and demonstrate their skills, expand their network and gain practical experience that can enhance their CV.
- Taking on part-time roles, even if they are not directly related to your field, can help recent graduates develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
- Doing freelance projects or one-off jobs can help build a portfolio and gain practical experience.
- Enrolling in professional development courses or earning certifications can improve recent graduates’ skills and make them more competitive in the job market.
- Developing and leveraging professional networks can lead to opportunities for mentoring, internships, informational interviews, or work on short-term projects that can help you gain valuable experience.
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