If you just graduated and the job hunt feels like torture, guess what? It’s not you. It’s the job market.
Right now, new college grads are walking into one of the hardest job markets in 10 years, and the numbers are honestly painful.
You didn’t spend four years suffering through finals, essays, and group projects just to get ghosted by entry-level jobs — but here we are.
🎓 A Degree Isn’t The Golden Ticket Anymore
Experts are saying something wild:
👉 “For the first time in modern history, a bachelor’s degree is NOT a reliable path to a real job.”
Yep. That came from an economist. Not TikTok.
Even though America is adding jobs, companies are cutting entry-level roles and replacing them with:
- Automation
- AI tools
- “Do more with less” budget plans
So grads are stuck applying to everything… and hearing nothing.
📉 The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s the reality check:
- Unemployment for young workers (16–24): 10.4%
- Overall unemployment: 4.4%
- Class of 2025 grads applied to MORE jobs than 2024 grads…
but got FEWER offers
Only 30% of 2025 grads landed a job in their field.
That means 70% did everything “right”… and still didn’t get hired.
🤖 AI Is Taking Entry-Level Jobs
Some big companies admitted they’re replacing junior roles with AI to save money.
Translation:
Instead of training young workers, they’re choosing “copy/paste efficiency mode.”
This is why so many grads feel like they’re applying into a black hole.
🧊 Experts Say 2026 Might Be Even Worse
Half of U.S. employers said the job market for grads is:
❌ Poor
❌ Fair
❌ Not improving anytime soon
This is the highest negativity since 2020–2021.
💔 Why This Actually Matters
A bad first job market hits harder than people think:
- Lower starting salaries
- Delayed career growth
- Slower income over time
- More inequality
- Fewer opportunities to move out, save money, or build a life
Economists call this “long-term scarring.”
We call it “this sucks.”
💬 What This Means for You
If you’re a grad struggling right now:
You’re not lazy.
You’re not failing.
You’re not behind.
You’re entering the job market at one of its toughest moments.
And knowing that changes everything — because now you can stop blaming yourself… and start creating a smarter plan.
💥 DamnJobs Takeaway
This isn’t “just a bad year.”
This is a structural shift in how companies hire, how grads start careers, and what the future of work looks like.
So if you feel lost, stuck, or confused — you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it.
The system is glitching.
We’re here to help you navigate it.