During a long day of reading through job applications and trying to find positions you are qualified for, it can be discouraging to see job after job in which you do not meet the minimum qualifications.
Unfortunately, this is the reality for many new college graduates around the country. CBS author Aimee Picchi discussed a recent survey that found about 45% of 2020 college graduates are still looking for work.
If almost half of 2020 graduates are still job hunting, what will employment opportunities look like for 2021 graduates? The global economic recession that occurred during COVID-19 is a detrimental factor in this area as well.
Although the US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that unemployment rates for college graduates are significantly lower in 2021 than they were in 2020, landing a job right after college can be a highly difficult task.
From my personal understanding, one major barrier applicants may come across during job hunts is the minimum years of experience required. Even some entry level jobs require 4 to 5 years of experience, which new college graduates might not have.
Another barrier I have noticed is that many employers pay employees based on experience. This means that college graduates are likely to be paid less which is unfavorable in our increasingly expensive world.
Trying to balance rent, utilities, taxes, student loans and various bills is extremely hard with a low salary. Although I understand that employers do not want to pay huge amounts to less experienced workers, a livable salary is necessary.
I believe that age is another aspect that affects employment opportunities. Senior employers might overlook recent graduates simply due to their young age. However, younger employees can bring new skills to companies, specifically in technological areas.
We might be on those darn phones all the time but having a solid knowledge of the digital realm is a valuable aspect in a professional environment.
Although graduating college and entering post-grad life is exciting, it can be weighed down by the difficulty of trying to land a job. Facing unemployment in today’s economy is not a favorable situation for anyone.
If companies were more open to hiring new college graduates, despite minimum years of experience, they might come to find that these grads can bring multiple skills to the table. I hope to see more positions that are open to workers who may not have several years of experience but are willing to learn and grow.
CBS Article: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jobs-for-college-grads-economy/
Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/unemployment-rate-3-7-percent-for-college-grads-6-7-percent-for-high-school-grads-in-march-2021.htm
