The Job Market Nobody Prepared You For #college #trending

24 Mar 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief commentary, TJ Walker highlights a troubling mismatch between college education and the current job market. Citing Federal Reserve Bank of New York data, he notes that unemployment among recent graduates is 5.6 percentage points higher than the overall rate, and over 40% of graduates are employed in positions that do not require a degree, rendering their four years of study akin to an "expensive coaster." Walker reinforces the pessimistic hiring climate by quoting Ali Goossens, an employer‑engagement professional, who likens the hiring mindset to the casual approach people take to going to the gym, implying a lack of seriousness and rigor in recruitment.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, unemployment for recent grads is now 5.6% higher than the overall rate, and more than 40% of graduates are working jobs that don't even require a degree. You study for 4 years and now your degree is basically a very expensive coaster. And the people closest to hiring are not exactly optimistic. Ali Goossens, who works in employer engagement, said this at the time: We're thinking about hiring the way I think about going to the gym.