Gen Z college graduates are facing an uneasy start to their professional lives amid a challenging job market. Competition for entry-level positions has intensified, as these roles increasingly require years of experience despite a surplus of more experienced workers.
Hiba Rizvi, a senior at Loyola University Chicago, is concerned about her job prospects after graduation. Rizvi had initially targeted software engineering roles at major tech companies, but has reconsidered her plans after seeing widespread layoffs in the industry. "For the past year and a half, everyone has said the market is going to get better, and that was something I was looking forward to," Rizvi said. "But now so close to graduation, I think we have to not expect the best from the future and just figure out our own game plan."
A recent survey by Handshake, a leading early career services company, found that more than half of the class of 2025 feel pessimistic about entering the workforce. Job creation on Handshake has trailed 2023 numbers, while the number of applicants per role has increased. Data shows only 13% of entry-level job seekers successfully landed a position in the first half of 2024.
Graduates are grappling with mounting economic concerns, political unrest, student debt, and the uncertain future of AI. The Handshake survey found that stability is the top priority for the class of 2025 when choosing a job. However, securing a stable position can be elusive for recent graduates.
Sasha Friese, a 2023 University of Washington graduate, applied to over 200 jobs before landing a $40,000 lab technician role. Friese acknowledged that while she enjoys the work, she wishes she earned more. She is now considering pursuing a master's degree to improve her future career prospects.
The combination of a tight job market, economic uncertainty, and student debt has left many Gen Z graduates feeling uneasy about the start of their professional lives. As they navigate this challenging landscape, they are focused on finding stability and security in their careers.