[Madia Bellebuono, a University of Vermont graduate, is one of the many recent graduates struggling to find employement. Despite her strong GPA and two internships, she has applied to over 300 jobs and is still unemployed. Bellebuono feels that the university could have done a better job preparing students for the job market, suggesting that a stronger focus on career preparation and support would be beneficial.
A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that the unemployment gap between new graduates and experienced degree holders is at its widest point since the 1990s. This gap is attributed to the increasing competition and changing employer expectations, as well as the fact that graduating college no longer gives students a significant advantage.
David Deming, a professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, notes that skill requirements for entry-level roles are higher today than they were a decade ago. The US economy has added an average of 186,000 jobs per month in 2024, but the job market is still challenging for entry-level workers. Kory Kantenga, head of economics for LinkedIn Americas, suggests that job openings don’t always translate into hiring, and that employers are often looking for specific qualities that they don’t find in the labor market.
Employers share responsibility for the mismatch, according to Deming, who suggests that raising wages and offering more flexible work arrangements could help. Around 58% of hiring managers believe that recent college graduates are unprepared for the workforce, and 47% of Americans believe that attending college is only worthwhile if one doesn’t have to take out loans.
The University of Vermont is adapting to these changing demands by launching an undergraduate co-op program in fall 2025, as well as expanding career readiness efforts. Other universities, such as Drexel, have seen success with their co-op programs, which integrate real-world work experience with academia. Graduates of these programs, like Breanna McClarey, a Northeastern University graduate, have reported increased confidence and a competitive edge in the job market.
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