The current economic landscape is casting a shadow over the optimism of college seniors as they approach graduation. A recent survey conducted in fall 2024 revealed that many students from the Class of 2025 are feeling uncertain about their career prospects due to a highly competitive job market. As graduation day draws near, data from a leading career platform indicates that 56 percent of these students express feelings of pessimism regarding their future employment opportunities.
This sense of unease is not unexpected, given the ongoing economic downturn and the challenges facing the job market. However, there is a silver lining, according to an education expert: these tough circumstances are encouraging graduates to think outside the box and develop innovative strategies for their careers.
“Economic cycles like this often challenge graduates to adapt and find creative solutions,” the expert noted. “This particular class is rising to the occasion and demonstrating resilience.”
In response to the increased competition, graduating seniors are stepping up their job search efforts, submitting an average of 16.5 applications—21 percent more than their counterparts from the previous year.
Job Preferences: When it comes to job applications, location is a top priority for graduates, with 73 percent indicating it as a significant factor. Job stability follows closely behind, with 70 percent of students prioritizing it. Additionally, 63 percent are focused on securing a competitive starting salary, while 48 percent are looking for attractive benefits.
A notable number of students are also keen on finding employment near their families, with 69 percent ranking this as a moderate to high priority, and 58 percent expressing a desire to work in their hometowns.
While many college students value hybrid and online learning, the majority of respondents from the survey prefer in-person roles for their first job after graduation. Only 12 percent expressed a desire to work remotely for the majority of their careers.
Since 2022, there has been a decline in the number of full-time remote job postings, with only about 3.5 percent of all job listings on the platform advertising fully remote positions as of January 2025.
Despite the challenges, 63 percent of graduating seniors aspire to land their “dream job” post-graduation, while 13 percent admitted that they entered college with a dream job in mind but have since lost that vision.
A recent survey revealed that 82 percent of soon-to-be graduates plan to start working within three months of graduation, compared to 77 percent of recent alumni who managed to secure employment in that timeframe, with 5 percent still searching for their first job.
Over two-thirds of respondents reported having completed at least one job interview, with 18 percent participating in four to six interviews by March.
Inflation is also influencing students’ salary expectations, with nearly half indicating they intend to negotiate for higher pay. Recent graduates reported an average starting salary of $68,400, with the highest earnings found among those in agriculture, environmental sciences, and natural resources.
Hiring Trends: Despite the prevailing pessimism among students, many employers are still actively seeking young talent.
A survey conducted by a national association of colleges and employers found that 65 percent of companies plan to maintain their hiring levels for college graduates this year, with a quarter of respondents intending to increase their hiring for the upcoming recruiting season.
More than one-third of employers in sectors such as support services, engineering, social services, food and beverage manufacturing, and wholesale trade are looking to expand their workforce this year. Conversely, a similar proportion of employers in motor vehicle manufacturing, accounting, and electronics are planning to reduce their hiring.
In line with the findings from the career platform, the survey indicated that the majority of entry-level job postings will be hybrid (49 percent), with around 45 percent being fully in-person roles.
Academic major continues to play a crucial role in the hiring process, along with relevant internship experience and demonstrated skills, according to the survey data.
Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills-based hiring, with 64 percent of respondents indicating they utilize such practices, particularly during the interview process.
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