A college student holding up a degree from Oregon State University. Photo courtesy of Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Earning a college degree used to lead to getting a stable job, but that might not be the case anymore.
–
By Madison Overmier
For decades, getting a college degree was the clear path to job security, but graduates today find that is no longer the case. As more people go to college and enter the workforce, they are finding that having a degree isn’t enough to get a job anymore.
Degrees have become more common than ever, and even though higher education is important, it’s becoming regular to run into people with a bachelor’s degree. Students are competing with thousands of other candidates who also have a degree, so setting themselves apart from others has become complicated.
Many entry-level jobs that students are applying for ask for multiple years of experience, which is impossible to get when being a college student is a full-time job itself.
Doug Tobin wrote in an article that many positions want one to two years of relevant experience.
“The key is recognizing that ‘experience’ comes in many forms, such as internships, volunteer work, academic projects, and even relevant hobbies, all of which count toward building your professional foundation,” said Tobin.
However, many students are completing internships and projects and still struggling to find a job when they are competing with other candidates who have done the same things or have already been in the workforce for years, gaining years of experience.
Students spend four years gaining academic experience through learning and projects that give them hands-on experience. Employers don’t see that as real-world experience, though many students are completing projects that they would in an entry-level position.
In an article, Kristina Byas said a combination of skills and experience sets people apart from other candidates.
“As the job market becomes more competitive, the hiring decision often comes down to education vs. experience, with employers believing that the ideal candidate is someone with a bit more to offer than academic experience,” said Byas.
Another thing that is becoming difficult for college students to get a job post-grad is networking. Many students are starting to see that the key to getting a job is knowing the right people. People who have personal connections or have received referrals are filling many entry-level positions. This has caused platforms like LinkedIn to become crucial to college students during their four years of school.
In an article, PharmiWeb Editor reported that many companies are filling roles that are not being promoted publicly through personal recommendations.
“In fact, research shows that up to 70% of job seekers secure roles through connections rather than cold applications,” said PharmiWeb Editor.
Students are already juggling class, homework, part-time jobs, and internships. They are now expected to make sure they are going to all these events to build connections to ensure they can land a job post-graduation.
It makes me question why I am spending all this money on a degree and putting myself into thousands of dollars of debt if I am not going to even be able to receive an opportunity to use it. Over these past four years, I made sure to develop the skills I needed from classes, do internships, and go to events, but it is still an endless struggle to get a job.
Recent graduates across the country, in different majors, are in the same position: struggling to get a job and questioning whether a college degree is enough anymore.