New grads say employers set the bar too high for entry-level roles: 'No job is willing to give you that first experience'
77% of new grads believe businesses call for too much experience when hiring for entry-level jobs, shutting them out of an increasingly competitive market.
TL;DR
- Recent graduates, like Rachel Grandis, are finding it difficult to land full-time jobs despite having relevant experience gained during college.
- A Cengage report indicates that 77% of graduates believe employers demand too much experience for entry-level roles, and 75% feel there are too few true entry-level opportunities.
- Employers are raising the bar for junior workers, expecting strong critical thinking, decision-making, and interpersonal skills, which many new grads reportedly lack.
- The perceived value of a degree has decreased, with only 37% of grads believing their education was worth the cost, down from 68% in 2022.
- The job market for young professionals is tight, with fewer full-time jobs posted for recent graduating classes compared to previous years.
- There is a debate about who is responsible for ensuring graduates are workforce-ready, with students, instructors, and employers all playing a perceived role, though employers are urged to be more involved.
- Many graduates want their educational institutions to offer more internships and paid work opportunities as part of their curriculum.
- Some graduates are finding success and community by sharing their job search struggles on platforms like TikTok.