College Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs

When I graduated from college in 2008, I was lucky enough to already have a job. Many of my friends and classmates weren't as lucky, and when I was laid off a year later -- I felt their pain. For eight months after that, I worked part time at a restaurant as a hostess and applied for more jobs than I can count.

According to a NY Times article this past May, class of 2010 graduates have slightly better chances of finding a job than the class of 2008 and 2009. But it's still rough out there. Some graduates are unemployed while others are making less than graduates in previous years or working in jobs that don't require a college education.

I sat down with three recent college grads. They don't know each other. They went to different schools and obtained different degrees, but their experiences are similar. Here's what they had to say and what they are doing now.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• college graduates
• jobs
• unemployment
• recession
• educational

[Polarcupcheck]

Computer science unemployed? Forget it, it is over.

[amperro]

My blood boils when I hear someone say "Well, you should have majored in the hard sciences". There is unemployment among engineers and scientists, too!

[wilson066]

This video hits home for many if not most grads out there that had the dissfortune of graduating post apocolyptic 2008. I know some grads that took easier majors and graduated a year before me, therefore landed decent jobs, before the market crash and hiring freezes. I stuck it out in a tougher major thinking it would lead to a better career path, but found it difficult to start a career when no one was hiring. Shunned to the world of retail, is a college grads reality these days. Good luck.

[carryclass]

yea, it's bad that college graduates can't find jobs, but so what? lots of hs grads and dropouts can't find jobs either. why is it suddenly horible when in is happening to college grads? im 47 yo and have had a terrible time in the job marked all my adult life. i feel fortunate to finally have a good job now, but how long will it last? for 30 years i have had to deal with what these grads are complaining about now.

[TheCajunGambit1]

@NoobSoldier2006 Well said I learned the truth 2 years ago when I dropped out of College luckily i only went to a Community College so I only have to pay a smaller loan compared to a loan you get from a university.

[Topg1]

@amperro I share the same sentiment.

[NoobSoldier2006]

College diploma only allow you to get an interview for particular job that requires it. If you think college education is going to guarantee you a job, you shouldn't be going to college. Company will hire those that will bring them profit & good work environment. They won't hire you just because you completed 4 years of higher education. If you weren't hired, it's because you weren't fit for the position that they need. GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD PEOPLE!

[TumisHumis]

@Bjornisen You might as well have sent a check to University of Phoenix for a degree. Lol.