Are There No Jobs for Graduates?

he job market has shifted dramatically in just the past six months, leaving many recent graduates questioning the value of their degrees. Terms like ghost jobs, quiet firing, and rolling layoffs, which dominated 2024, have given way to a new set of challenges and buzzwords.

The Degree Dilemma: Equal Unemployment for Graduates and Non-Graduates

For the first time, unemployment rates among young male college graduates match those of non-graduates, a jarring trend highlighted in the transcript. The share of unemployed first-time job seekers is at its highest since 1988, and job mobility has stalled.

Graduates are voicing frustration, with some calling their degrees "a waste of money" after months of rejections. One graduate lamented applying for jobs for a year with little response, reflecting a broader sentiment of disillusionment.

Does this mean college is no longer worth it? Not quite. While unemployment rates are similar, graduates still typically earn more than non-graduates. However, the rising cost of tuition and a tough entry-level job market are shrinking the degree’s return on investment.

The takeaway: carefully evaluate the cost of a degree against its long-term benefits, especially in oversaturated fields.

Job Hugging: A Market Frozen in Fear

The transcript introduces "job hugging," where workers cling to their roles, avoiding promotions or job switches to dodge layoffs. The traditional payoff for job hopping—higher salaries through strategic moves—has nearly disappeared as wage growth slows and hiring stalls.

This trend benefits those in stable, less volatile fields like arts or healthcare, where passion-driven workers become indispensable by staying put.

For graduates chasing high-paying but unstable industries like tech, this stagnation is a wake-up call. In a market where no one is hiring or leaving, security often trumps ambition. The lesson: building expertise in a stable role may be smarter than chasing the next big opportunity.

Why Are Young Men Struggling?

A striking trend is the closing unemployment gap for young male graduates compared to non-graduates, while the gap for women remains wide. The transcript identifies three key drivers:

Increased Competition in STEM and Business: Programs pushing women into male-dominated fields like STEM and business management have diversified talent pools, intensifying competition for men. Meanwhile, male-dominated, non-degree fields like trades remain less contested, stabilizing unemployment for non-graduate men.

Cultural Stigma in Stable Fields: Fields like nursing and teaching, which are stable due to an aging population, are less appealing to men due to stigma. A male nurse or teacher may face jokes or suspicion, unlike women entering engineering, which is seen as empowering. This cultural lag pushes men toward riskier, "prestigious" fields.

The Glass Elevator Effect: Men who enter female-dominated fields often progress faster, as noted in a 1992 study. These roles, like healthcare, offer low unemployment and competitive lifetime earnings, yet cultural biases deter men from pursuing them.

The Boom-and-Bust Trap

The transcript highlights a pattern: industries attracting top graduates often crash. From oil and gas in the 1980s to tech today, fields that draw Ivy League talent—like big tech’s high salaries—eventually face oversaturation or downturns.

The advice to "learn to code" has faltered as tech layoffs hit hard, with women disproportionately affected (44% of job losses despite being 28% of the workforce). This cycle shows the risk of chasing trendy fields. By the time most graduates qualify, the jobs may be gone.

How Graduates Can Adapt

The job market feels bleak, but graduates can take control with these strategies:

• Rethink the Degree’s Value: Choose fields with steady demand, like healthcare or education, over trendy but unstable industries. Weigh tuition costs against job prospects.
• Embrace Stable Fields: Men should consider female-dominated roles like nursing, which offer low unemployment and career progression. The glass elevator effect can work in your favor.
• Prioritize Stability: In a frozen market, focus on mastering your current role rather than risking a move. Job hugging may protect you from layoffs.
• Challenge Norms: Ignore stigma and explore fields with growing demand. Healthcare and teaching are rigorous but rewarding and less prone to economic swings.
• Stay Ahead of Trends: Research industries with consistent demand rather than chasing booms. Avoid fields already flooded with graduates.

Jobs Exist, But Strategy Matters

The question “Are there no jobs for graduates?” oversimplifies a complex reality. Jobs exist, but they’re harder to find in a market defined by stagnation, competition, and shifting cultural expectations.

Graduates, especially young men, face unique challenges as traditional paths like tech lose their shine and stable fields remain underutilized. By focusing on resilience, exploring undervalued careers, and making informed choices, graduates can find their footing.

References:

https://fortune.com/2025/07/22/gen-z-college-graduate-unemployment-level-same-as-nongrads-no-degree-job-premium/

https://www.vox.com/economy/413149/college-graduate-job-market-economy-entry-level-employment-recession

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/business/economy/jobs-college-graduates-unemployment.html

https://www.theatlantic.com/economy/archive/2025/04/job-market-youth/682641/

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/job-market-report-college-student-graduates-ai-trump-tariffs-rcna221693

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