Current seniors and recent graduates are well-aware that they are facing one of the worst job markets in recent years. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the unemployment rate for college graduates ages 22-27 increased from 4.2 to 5.6 percent at the end of last year. In addition, speculation regarding how the pervasive use of AI in both replacing jobs and screening applicants is an occurring topic in regard to job applications. The Harvard Business Review contends that the jobs most prone to augmentation tend to involve greater use of social and hands-on technical skills.
Laura Liu, a graduating senior major in Political Economy (Economics) recently accepted a position at Reference Point as a consultant in New York. However, that came after a grueling long-drawn job search process that started in the summer before her senior year. Liu, like many other DKU students, was initially interested in pursuing grad school. However, a corporate internship led her to shift her focus and start her job search the summer she finished the internship right before senior year.
Once the school year began, however, she encountered challenges. For one, she found that the DKU Career Service to be lacking in its resources and ability to help international students. “I think its resources outside of the China context as well as, I do think they give you a lot of general information that you would have already gathered just by going through the process”, Liu explains. “100 percent of everything I learned throughout my journey was through mentors that I gained in my internship last summer, but most of all, my peers and Duke alumni that I had to personally reach out to and connect with”.
“I don’t think they are very interactive,” echoes Jamie, a pseudonym as the student wishes to remain anonymous. An Environmental Science (Biogeochem) major, they recall a moment in which they tried to use the Career Service and applied for a job listing via their website, “I was completely ghosted, so I don’t have a good impression of them based on that. It was within the deadline, I was qualified for the position, it was open to international students, and just nothing.”
However, there are also barriers outside being an international student in China. For Jamie, the environmental science field has been impacted severely by Trump’s policies. Massive defunding meant less opportunities and pathways cut. Originally intending to work in the Environmental Protection Agency after graduation, the situation meant that for Jaimie, it was no longer a viable option. Furthermore, there are fewer than desirable job postings available. “Most of them don’t pay well enough that I could afford to live in a new city, so I’ve been trying to find ones close to home”. Jamie has also explored options outside the United States, such as in various countries in Asia and Europe. However, they reported that most require language skills that they do not possess. What’s more, AI has started to assume the role of both application submitters and reviewers. In a study done in the UK of more than 2,000 job applicants, just under half used AI in their application process. Meanwhile, according to the World Economic Forum, 88% of companies already use AI for the first stage of candidate screening. “It feels like AI is talking to AI” Jamie laments regarding the automation process, “I’ve gotten rejections in 30 minutes and there’s no way they’ve looked at my resume in that time.”
Those in tech also appear to be struggling. What was once thought of as a thriving industry with abundance of opportunities, is now seeing a downturn in employment. US-based tech companies saw 33,361 cuts in April alone. Eli, also a pseudonym for a student who also wishes to remain anonymous, is graduating with uncertainties. Majoring in Computation and Design (Digital Media), Eli knew from the beginning that they wanted to pursue industries adjacent to game development, UI/UX design, and product design. Since the beginning of the year, they have run through dozens of applications weekly. “I’ll have a day when I do a lot of them and by that point, I’ve exhausted all the recent ones on LinkedIn, so I wait a week”, Eli explains, “The proportions (response rates) are scary, but it’s also no worse than everybody I’ve talked to”. Many industries are affected by the slowing job market, even in fields that are considered high employability.
While Eli does have a fellowship for the summer, nothing has yet been secured long-term. When asked if they’ve considered staying in China, that too has a high barrier, “I don’t know what they would do if I did want to stay in China. I’m not fluent in Chinese and there has to be someone willing to sponsor me, it’s a whole thing”, Eli explains exasperated. Liu also commented on the aspect of studying in China for college whilst looking for US based jobs. While dealing with multiple rejections, she experienced hopelessness at times, “I think a lot of my friends have seen my burn outs and crash outs” Yet dealing with these rejections has also been a process on its own. “I just have to keep reassuring myself that it’s not a reflection of my abilities, and any firm that sees in this China experience is where I want to be”. For Liu, the process worked out. For others who are still applying and waiting, it’s a longer game. Jamie, upon reflecting on the ongoing job application experience expresses her discontent, “The way society is designed, you need a job to live, but why is it so hard for me to get a job? I don’t want to work, I don’t think anybody wants to work. But the fact that it’s literally so hard to get an interview, to have a chance at a job, it’s stupid. It makes me want to live in the woods.” Perhaps that sentiment is shared by many in the graduating class.
The challenges facing this year’s graduating class, from AI screening processes to industry-wide downturns, paint a sobering picture of the current job market. While some, like Liu, eventually find their footing after grueling searches, others remain in a cycle of applications that tests both qualifications and their resilience. The students in this article represent thousands more navigating a landscape that demands not only skill, but also luck and connections. As the job market continues to shift, it remains unclear whether institutions will adapt fast enough, or whether the next cohort of graduates will face an even steeper climb.
