With only 1.9% of jobs requiring no experience and 2.5% of entry-level job postings on the market in the US (Zipreqruiter – LinkedIn), securing a job seems to be a mission impossible.
Facts
According to the research report on the job market 2024 by Aspen Technology lab, the number of job listings overall from 2023 to 2024 fell by 2.5%, dropping from 5.7 million jobs available to 5.5 million. The analysis done by LinkedIn, which is supported by research from the Wall Street Journal, “35% of entry-level jobs require 3 or more years of experience” (Indeed).
Job search is a true mission, that requires a lot of energy and time. Despite the discouraging numbers, new graduates are optimistic about their job search prospects.
Personal research
We conducted research to uncover how peers successfully secured jobs in competitive fields. A few peers shared the struggles they faced during the job search as new graduates, including months of job search, receiving only 1 or 2 interviews. They also mentioned a failure to get the job in their educational field, forcing them to change their career path and still succeed.
A number of peers shared the secret to their success.
“My company hired me before I graduated with my master’s degree because I was an intern for them,” shared an Investigative Producer from a local news station. Sports Director mentioned, that if he had not built relationships prior to applying for a job, “I do not know if I would have been the lead candidate with more than 90 applicants for the same position”.
The research highlighted a consistent theme:
securing internships, networking, and building relationships with industry professionals ahead of a job search are essential for success. Rather than relying on luck, working proactively towards the opportunity of landing a job in the educational field while still in college is crucial.
Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with the Chamber of Commerce, where we’ll discuss valuable networking opportunities they offer to Young Professionals.
Elizaveta Markovetc
Student Writer - Spring 2025