by Jaylon Brunson 

 Four or more years of college, late nights studying, battling between work and classes and now you’ve finally graduated. You walk across that stage, proud and ready to start your new chapter, but a few months later, reality hits. Finding a full-time job isn’t as easy as everyone makes it seem. You have sent out applications, updated your resume a hundred time and still haven’t heard back. You start to wonder, what was all that for? 

It’s not just you, take a look around the Seniors, super-seniors, even the ones who graduated last year majority feel the same way. The National Association of Colleges and Employers say over 45% of us are walking out with jobs that don’t even need the degree. Baristas with biology majors, Uber drivers with business degrees, cashiers who just paid 80K for a communications diploma. You can do everything right such as show up, pass the classes, take the loans and still end up fighting for a position. 

A big reason for this is how much connections and experience matter now. You can have the degree, the skill and the drive, but if you do not have experience or know the right people, it is hard to even get a callback. A 2024 Jobvite study said that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, not job boards. So basically, it’s not just what you know; it’s who you know. So, for a lot of young adults including myself, that feels unfair, because how can you gain experience if no one gives you a chance? 

Then there’s the age issue, some employers want younger workers because they think they will work longer hours for less pay or adapt faster to new tech. Others want older people with more experience. So, what happens to everyone in the middle? People our age are left trying to prove themselves while still figuring out who they are. It’s tough, and honestly, no one really prepares you for that. 

The Federal Reserve says only 27% of grads end up in the field they studied. That means most will switch lanes. In all honesty, a lot will be happier. For example, the business major who started a sneaker brand. The psych major coaching kids at the rec center. The engineering dropout building apps from his dorm. Life does not read the syllabus. Sometimes the wrong turn takes you exactly where you are supposed to be. 

If you are stuck, don’t be afraid to move, especially do not wait for the perfect posting. Start small. Sell graphics on Fiverr. Cut hair in the dorm bathroom or any place that gives you access. Shoot photos for campus events. Volunteer at the food pantry and now you have stories, references, and clips for the portfolio. Free classes are everywhere. YouTube has full coding bootcamps, Coursera has certs, TikTok has 60-second Excel hacks. Every small step is a win.  

Mentors can make a difference so try to reach out to alumni’s. Attend industry events. Ask for a 15-minute coffee chat. One conversation can lead to an opportunity that never hits the job board. 

The waiting, the rejections, the silence it can wear on you. Group chats turn into vent sessions. Doubt creeps in. But this phase is part of the process. Most professionals switch jobs multiple times, and many change fields completely. Early struggles often build resilience and clarity. 

I also believe you’ll never work a day in your life if you are doing something you love. I know it sounds easier said than done, but it’s true. Doing what genuinely makes you happy matters more than a fancy title or how much money you make right away. Sometimes the best jobs aren’t the ones that fit your degree; they are the ones that fit you. 

So, take a deep breath and try not to stress too hard if you are not where you thought you would be yet. Most people aren’t. This stage is figuring things out, trying new things, failing and trying again; that is all part of it. The degree you earned isn’t the end of your story; it’s just your first chapter. What you build from here is where real success begins.