Each May, soon-to-be graduates traditionally fill Washington Square Park in New York City, dressed in caps and gowns often in the purple of nearby New York University for photos that capture the end of student life and the start of an uncertain future.
This year, Julie Patel, a recent public health master’s graduate, joined them, but said her excitement was overshadowed by a difficult labour market.
“Expectations of when I came into this programme and coming out of it in terms of a job search, funding and what’s available are two very different things,” she told the Media.
Across the United States, many graduates are entering a workforce marked by rising uncertainty.
Economic pressures linked to tariffs, artificial intelligence, global conflicts, and cuts in public funding are contributing to slower hiring, especially for entry-level roles.
Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there were 6.9 million job openings in March, with hiring edging up to 5.6 million and separations at 5.4 million.
Analysts say the trend suggests fewer people are switching jobs, which in turn limits openings for new graduates trying to enter the labour market.
The Economic Policy Institute has noted that weaker hiring rates make it harder for new entrants to gain a foothold in employment.
While difficult job conditions are not new graduates also faced downturns during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis experts say today’s market is more uneven, with different sectors experiencing very different economic realities.
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