As I sit here writing, I’ve just put down my phone after another round of doomscrolling through LinkedIn. More recently, I have been seeing several posts saying the same thing over and over again: College graduates are struggling to find jobs.
What started as a useful tool for my career search has turned into a bad habit—one that leaves me comparing myself to everyone else. I haven’t found a summer internship yet, and the process is taking longer than expected. Meanwhile, I can’t stop thinking about what my future will look like if I fall short of the vision I’ve built in my head. While many of us are afraid to admit it, the anxiety behind this is real. The job market isn’t looking good, and students are feeling the burden.
This experience isn’t unique to me. Many students are grappling with the same fear, and it’s forcing us to rethink how we measure success. Sadly, LinkedIn hasn’t helped with this. When all we see are the words, “I’m happy to announce that I’ve accepted an offer with…” we begin to reevaluate where we’re at in our career search, with the only metrics we consider for achievement being ones like this. The frustration then builds up in us, making us feel inferior to our friends and peers.
The current numbers aren’t boosting our confidence either. According to Forbes, only 30% of 2025 college graduates and 41% of 2024 graduates found entry-level jobs in their specializations, while 48% felt unprepared to apply for such positions. Impostor syndrome is a constant battle. We are a generation with diverse talents, interests and skills, but the news is preventing us from showing our true grit. Thus, when we think that others are more qualified, we inadvertently discourage ourselves from applying to roles.
Other figures illustrate the lack of hope even among those with degrees in higher education. An article in the New York Times describes how college graduates used to be only a handful of those facing long-term unemployment. But now those statistics are changing for the worse. Specifically, the report shows that over the past decade, the share of long-term unemployed college graduates has climbed from about 20% to more than 30%. It also highlights stories of people across the country who have struggled to find work. Over 200 people who had been unemployed for longer than six months responded to a questionnaire about how joblessness has affected them. Many mentioned their battles with depression or anxiety, and a few others had even contemplated suicide.
Thus, when it comes to job searching, many are in the same boat, with several headlines intensifying our fear. However, in a time full of LinkedIn posts that regurgitate the same information and leave us feeling hopeless, we have to remember to keep our heads high. Here are the major steps we can take:
1. Networking
This is the most underrated part of job hunting. If you’re just applying to a job online and hoping for the best, you’re essentially throwing your resume in the trash, regardless of how skilled you are. Reaching out to HR and alumni from W&L is the key step you need to take to build your credibility as a candidate. Introduce yourself and share your story. While it may not be easy at first, eventually, as you start taking more calls, you gain more confidence. I know this for a fact because it happened to me.
2. Edit your resume and tailor your story
A well-put-together resume indicates your attention to detail and how much you care about format. If a company notices mistakes, then they’re going to call you out. On another note, make sure that you know how to present yourself, and think about what motivates you. These are essential characteristics of your identity and how well you’ll fit into a role. By thinking about your strengths and focusing on other behavioral aspects, you’ll land in the right position you’ve been looking for. This took me some time because I didn’t always realize what I’m good at and what drives me. Thus, being authentic with your interests will always help.
3. Remain patient, stay calm, and talk to others
This has been crucial for me as I’ve been trying to find an internship. It can take months, and nothing is set in stone yet for me. I continue to send out applications and reach out to W&L alumni at different companies. However, sometimes I find that I need to break the barrier and reach out to people who didn’t go here, especially at companies where there’s no strong W&L base. But patience is key when applying to roles. You’re not going to get an offer overnight or hear back from someone the day after you reach out. Moreover, I look to my friends and family for inspiration and guidance, and they are always there to offer me support. Remember that in the moments when you feel you’re struggling with your progress, they are the people you can rely on, too.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to stop comparing yourself to others and recognize your worth. While the news says the market’s rough, there is always some form of opportunity out there. For us at W&L, we have the tools we need to succeed. Let’s make the most of them and keep our heads held high.
