Is it normal to feel lost after graduation?

“The first thing to understand is that you're not alone,” O'Brien says. “Feeling anxiety, depression, or some degree of 'stuckness' and discomfort after graduating is normal. It's a change, and change can be very challenging to negotiate. You don't necessarily know what comes next.”

Why do so many students feel lost after graduation?

Graduates have a hard time finding their purpose because the purpose-built into being a student — getting good grades, forming social connections, finishing their degrees — no longer exists. They can begin to feel lonely, sad, or unsure about what they should now do with their lives.

How long is it OK to be unemployed after college?

As a rule of thumb, a graduate should secure work within 6 months of graduation. Unfortunately, in today's job market, it is not uncommon to wait 12-18 months or even longer. It is important to note that the duration of unemployment after graduation can have an impact on one's career prospects.

Is it normal to not have a job after graduating?

So if you have no job after college, whether you just graduated or have been searching for 1-2 years, don't feel bad. You're NOT alone. And there are a couple of great ways to get a job after college that I'll share in this article. Follow these steps to boost your chances of landing a good job after graduation.

How long is too long unemployed?

The stress of unemployment can take an even bigger toll on your mental health when your time without a job persists. If you have been job searching and applying and unemployed for longer than six months, it's time to revamp your strategy.

Overcoming Post Graduate Depression | Haydee Alonso | TEDxUTEP

How long does the average person stay unemployed?

In 1990, the average duration of unemployment in the United States was 12 weeks. The duration increased to 20.6 weeks in 2023, which was a decrease from the previous year.

Is being unemployed a red flag?

Employers don't really have any just cause for this bias, but the fact remains that being unemployed is seen as a red flag for many companies.

Are roughly 53% of recent graduates unemployed or underemployed?

The fact is that approximately 53% of college graduates are unemployed or working in a job that doesn't require a bachelor's degree. It takes the average college graduate three to six months to secure employment after graduation. A student benefits from having a career-seeking strategy and previous work experiences.

Are most college graduates unemployed?

The latest unemployment rate for recent graduates, at 4.4 percent, is higher than the overall joblessness rate and nearly double the rate for all workers with a college degree, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Is feeling lonely after college normal?

The sadness, loneliness, and anxiety that Baker felt after her college graduation are uncomfortable but not uncommon, says Libby O'Brien, PhD, a licensed professional counselor and American Counseling Association expert. “The first thing to understand is that you're not alone,” O'Brien says.

Why do people cry after graduation?

Anecdotally, parents attribute grad-time tears to pride, relief, and joy for all their kids have accomplished.

Why is the first year after college so hard?

For some students, financial realities enter the picture upon graduation as well, with more bills and expenses. The first few years after college are a significant transition that often bring anxiety, uncertainty and, at times, social isolation, experts say.

How do people feel after graduating?

Graduation not only can bring up feelings of excitement, pride, and anticipation, but also those of loss, discouragement, and fear. Feelings of loss are commonly felt by students as they face a multitude of changes in their lives.

Where did life take you after graduation?

Once you graduate from a university, your entire world will open up to new prospects, new opportunities, as well as new challenges and new obstacles. If you identify some of them, you can prepare yourself better for what you expect and don't expect.

What do many college graduates regret?

10 most-regretted majors: After graduation, 'reality hits'

Journalism, sociology, communications and education all topped the list of most-regretted college majors, according to ZipRecruiter's survey of more than 1,500 college graduates who were looking for a job.

What percentage of college students don t get a job after they graduate?

More than half of recent four-year college graduates, 52 percent, are underemployed a year after they graduate, according to a new report from Strada Institute for the Future of Work and the Burning Glass Institute. A decade after graduation, 45 percent of them still don't hold a job that requires a four-year degree.

How many college graduates don't use their degree?

It suggests that the number of graduates in jobs that don't make use of their skills or credentials—52%—is greater than previously thought, and underscores the lasting importance of that first job after graduation.

In which year were the most people unemployed?

Unemployment was most severe in 1933 in Michigan, which also stands at the head of the array of the 1930-33 average with a rate of 35.9 percent.

How many jobs is too many on a resume?

As a general rule of thumb, aim to list 2-4 jobs on your resume. This number isn't absolute — instead, think of it more like a guideline. Instead of building your resume around a predetermined number of jobs, here's how to decide how many jobs really belong on your resume: Read over the job description.

Can you not include a job on your resume?

You Don't Need to Include Every Job on Your Resume: Highlight jobs that demonstrate your experience, skills, and fit for the role. Leave Off Jobs That Are Unrelated: You can also omit jobs that are more than 10 to 15 years old, to avoid age discrimination.

Does a gap in your resume look bad?

A big gap of several months to a year on your resume is a massive red flag to employers, even if you have a valid reason for taking that time off. More often than not, you'll have a good reason to avoid employment for a while, whether it's to look after your family or travel Europe.

Is it harder to get a job if you are unemployed?

Key Takeaways. If you're looking for work, it's often easier to find a job if you already have a job. Being unemployed, especially for prolonged periods of time, sends a negative signal about your work ethic and hirability.

Is it harder to get a job the longer you are unemployed?

The longer you're out of a job, the harder it may be to convince employers that you're “employable,” and your ability to find a job can get even more difficult. We recently asked our executive team how they feel job seekers who have been unemployed long-term might be able to free themselves from the stalemate.

What should I do if I can't find a job?