Is it OK to not have a job after college?

It's common to have difficulty finding a job in your field (or sometimes any 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.

Is it OK to not work after college?

Those last few months of college truly don't set the tone for the entire future of your career—no matter how much it may feel like it. It's totally OK to not have a great gig lined up right after you graduate.

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 graduate college without a job?

The job search can be a slog. It's hard, but it's normal. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you're the only one without a job. And don't scroll LinkedIn: remember, none of your classmates will post, “I'm still looking for a job, but I'm anxious and burnt out.”

What are the odds of getting a job after college?

If you're nearing graduation and wondering, “What percentage of college students get a job after they graduate?” then the good news is that 72.3% of all college graduates in the U.S. are employed. Having a degree is a distinguishing factor when applying for a job.

Some Rough Advice for the "Real World"

How long after college should I have a job?

It takes about three to six months for the average college graduate to find a job after college. As of September 2023, the unemployment rate for bachelor's degree holders was 2.2% compared to 4% for those only holding a high school diploma.

Why is it so hard to get a job after college?

The job market is extremely competitive, as more and more Americans attain college degrees. Furthermore, employers are requiring unrealistic professional experience for entry-level positions, making it difficult for recent graduates to compete in the job market.

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 your first job after college important?

Your first job is only an opportunity to gain work experience. Most graduates don't earn very much at their first job unless they get lucky. The experience that you will take away will be worth this and will help you to earn more later. This is a great opportunity to focus on accumulating skills that make you valuable.

How many college graduates are unemployed?

U.S. unemployment rate of recent graduates 2016-2023

In December 2023, about 4.8 percent of recent college graduates were unemployed in the United States. This was a significant decrease from September 2020, when the unemployment rate among recent college graduates was at nine percent.

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.

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.

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 much does first job out of college matter?

Recent graduates who are underemployed earn, on average, $10,000 less per year than recent graduates who are appropriately employed. Compounded over time, this financial difference is significant. A wrong move into a first job can sell a graduate short not just for a few years, but for potentially an entire career.

What is the best first job after college?

Do jobs look at your grades after college?

GPA only really matters for entry-level roles

For the most part, your job history will consist of internships, summer jobs, or be non-existent when you graduate from college, so some employers will use your GPA as a metric to assess your candidacy for entry level roles.

Are college graduates happier with their jobs?

Nationally, college degree holders have slightly higher job satisfaction than high school graduates: 92 percent of those with a college degree or higher are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their jobs versus 87 percent of high school graduates.

What is the most unemployed degree?

Are college graduates more successful in life?

College-educated workers enjoy a substantial earnings premium. On an annual basis, median earnings for bachelor's degree holders are $36,000 or 84 percent higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma. The earnings gap between college graduates and those with less education continues to widen.

Why is no one hiring college students?

One of the reasons employers overlook college graduates is a lack of leadership experience. Many of the college graduates who can't find a job, are the students who did not develop any leadership experience during college.

How hard is it to find a job after college with no experience?

On average it takes three to six months for new graduates to find their first jobs.

What to do if I can t find a job?

How long do new grads stay at their first job?

Many career counselors and professional experts advise staying at your first job for one year or longer. But nearly three-quarters of recent college graduates have a tenure of less than one year for their first job, and there are advantages to moving on quickly.

How many people without a college degree are successful?

Based on these findings, those who become highly successful without college education appear to be in the minority, roughly 6 percent.

Is it easier to get hired with a college degree?

Increased Access to Job Opportunities

A degree enables you to qualify for these additional opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work. Not only are there more jobs available to degree holders than high school graduates, but the existing jobs are also more accessible.