As the job market tightens, employment prospects for recent college graduates is more challenging, and in some cases frightening.
College graduates are increasingly fearful of unemployment, stagnant wages, and uncertain career paths, as unemployment in New England, from August to August, has increased from 3.6 percent to 4.1 percent.
“The thought of working and never going to school again, when I’ve been going to school for 18 years straight, is crazy,” said Nicole Cretella, a Quinnipiac environmental science major. “When I think about post-grad life, I wind up in ‘crash out city.”
Recent graduates may face challenges finding a secure job, particularly in fields that tend to be more competitive, such as journalism.
Hiring slowdowns and the effect of AI have significantly impacted entry-level jobs, including internships. Recent graduates face stiffer competition as a slower, more selective job process, causes added stress during their search for full-time work.
According to a variety of sources (Forbes, NPR among them), college seniors and recent graduates face considerable challenges:
- The unemployment rate that is higher than the national average, highest since 1980-, excluding the pandemic years.
- Many companies hesitate to hire new workers, slowing down in entry level positions.
- A skills gap.
- Companies are reducing their need for entry-level workers because of the rise in AI.
- Those with jobs may be stable but getting a job at difficult.
“The current job climate and the hiring process are insane; it’s a broken system,” said Stephen Colella, the Founder and Director of Job Club RI. “A college degree can help you get your foot in the door, but it does not have the same weight it did 10 to 15 years ago.”
Job Club RI is a community group that improves job seekers’ employability by offering personalized job search support. They also offer counseling, networking, and placement services.
“A lot of them do not understand what they have to go through,” Colella said. “After they dip their toes in the water, they will then realize that it is not going to be a one-and-done.”
“I’m concerned about the lack of consistency in the job market, especially in the area I want to pursue,” said Abigail Capalbo, a University of Rhode Island journalism student. “Every industry feels so over-saturated, and I worry that by the time I graduate, my degree, resume, internship experience, and work ethic won’t be enough to land me even an entry-level position.”
“The job market right now is very unpredictable, and journalism is a tough industry to crack,” said Amanda Dronzek, a University of Connecticut journalism student. “You don’t always know what you’re getting into, as with any job, and it’s hard to come to terms with knowing my dream job is probably years away from when I graduate.”
According to the Cengage Group 2025 Graduate Employability Report, “Just 30 percent of 2025 graduates (versus 41 percent of 2024 graduates) have secured full-time jobs related to their degree.”
College graduates are also concerned about stagnant wages that are barely keeping pace with inflation and showing minimal growth over recent years.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston reported in early September that wage and salary growth in New England was the slowest among the nine census divisions.
“As I am about to graduate in the Fall of 2025, I am worried about not being able to afford a home one day and the increase in everyday living prices,” Capalbo said. “Every generation has its struggles, but it feels like unless you start investing in a retirement account on the day you were born, the milestones our parents accomplished in their 20s are not realistic for us.”
“My biggest concerns are usually about money,” said Madeline Kment, a University of Rhode Island graduate, majoring in communication and public relations. “I am concerned about not being able to afford a house one day.”
Beyond the fear of unemployment, many students wonder whether the careers they’ve been working toward will bring them fulfillment.
“I would say my biggest concerns after I graduated college is how I’ll find the right job for me,” Dronzek said. “My fears are probably what everyone is scared of, not loving what you studied when you’re actually working in it.”
Alongside concerns about post–grad life, students also face real challenges standing out in a competitive job market.
“One of the biggest barriers young job seekers face is not aligning their resume as closely as possible, especially when it comes to the core competencies,” Colella said. “You have got to make that resume as tight as you can with skills and experience.”
“It comes down to how much research and preparation you do, and you have to look at that job description,” said Colella.
According to the Cengage Group 2025 Graduate Employability Report, “Seventy-one percent of employers now require a two- or four-year degree for entry-level roles, up from 55 percent in 2024. The result is fewer opportunities and tougher competition for graduates.”
While uncertainty about the future can feel isolating, many students find comfort in knowing they’re not alone in their worries — and experts emphasize the power of a supportive system in navigating these fears.
“The unknown is so scary as things are always changing,” Kment said. “But it makes me feel better that everyone else is on the same page of trying to figure everything out.”
“My advice for students who are deeply worried about their future is to surround yourself with positive and supportive people,” Colella said. “You have to look at the glass half full and try and stay positive, even though it can be hard, having a good support base can help that.”