Madia Bellebuono, a University of Vermont graduate, spends her days in a Boston coffee shop scrolling through job openings. Since earning her degree in strategic marketing and public communications in May 2024, she has applied for over 300 jobs. Despite two internships, a strong GPA, and looming student loans, she is struggling to land jobs.
Bellebuono feels unprepared to enter today’s competitive job market. She believes her university could have done more to prepare students for post-graduation life, focusing less on grades and tests and more on practical career readiness. While the University of Vermont highlights its efforts to guide students toward their career paths, many graduates like Bellebuono still face challenges transitioning from academia to employment.
Widening Unemployment Gap
Bellebuono’s story reflects a growing issue among recent graduates. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals the widest unemployment gap between new graduates and experienced degree holders since the 1990s.
This gap is partly due to increasing competition and changing employer expectations, according to David Deming, a professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. He explains that rising graduation rates mean a college degree no longer provides the same competitive advantage it once did. Skill requirements for entry-level roles are also higher today than they were a decade ago.
The US economy added an average of 186,000 jobs per month throughout 2024, which is consistent with pre-pandemic levels but a slowdown compared to the post-pandemic recovery. Entry-level workers are struggling to land jobs more than other segments of the workforce. While job openings exist, hiring does not always follow. Employers often struggle to find candidates who meet their expectations, creating a disconnect between job seekers and the labor market.
Lack of Workforce Preparedness
A December survey found that 58% of hiring managers believe recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce. Deming suggests that employers share responsibility for this mismatch, pointing out that increasing wages or being flexible with hiring criteria could help bridge the gap. However, many employers are reluctant to make these compromises.
Graduates like Bellebuono often feel underprepared for job interviews, lacking the experience required for many positions. She believes universities could offer more structured support, such as mandatory internships, career preparation courses, and mentorship programs. The high cost of college has also come under scrutiny, with nearly half of Americans saying that higher education is only worth the expense if loans are not required.
Shift in University Focus
The challenges faced by graduates are reshaping how universities are evaluated. Prospective students are now prioritizing career outcomes over prestige when choosing schools. Rankings by institutions like The Wall Street Journal are reflecting this shift, with career-driven schools like Claremont McKenna and Babson College surpassing traditional giants like Harvard and MIT.
Deming explains that these rankings highlight the importance of career readiness and employment outcomes in higher education. While prestigious institutions may still hold sway, universities that emphasize practical skills and career-focused programs are addressing the issues faced by those struggling to land jobs.
Growing Popularity of Career-Driven Education
Programs like Northeastern University’s co-op model, which integrates real-world work experience with academics, are becoming more popular. Such models have driven applications to Northeastern up by 53% since 2020. Drexel University, which has offered a co-op program since 1919, also reports high employment rates among its graduates.
Drexel’s graduates, according to the university, are less affected by the challenges of the current job market due to the professional networks and experience they build before graduating. Northeastern graduates similarly credit their co-op experiences for providing them with confidence and skills that help them stand out in the job market.
For instance, recent Northeastern graduate Breanna McClarey said that the co-op program gave her and her peers a competitive edge. After completing three co-ops, she secured a paralegal position within a month of starting her job search. While friends from other universities also found jobs, she noted it often took them six to nine months to secure positions.
The Path Forward
As career-driven education gains traction, universities are adjusting their strategies to meet the needs of students. The University of Vermont plans to launch an undergraduate co-op program in fall 2025. Recent donations totaling $15 million will support expanded internships and co-op experiences for business students, along with a new director of professional and career development to assist graduate students.
These initiatives aim to better prepare students for the realities of the job market. While traditional education models face criticism, programs that integrate practical experience are proving successful in helping graduates who are struggling to land jobs gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a competitive workforce.
For students like Bellebuono, the hope is that these efforts will bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that a degree leads to opportunities, not just uncertainty.
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