In 2020, over 3.8 million college graduates were entering the workforce during a pandemic and an apparent economic depression. Many of them were studying on scholarships and other financial assistance, to discover a difficult job market. Several individuals have had to transition out of what they originally studied to persevere and find a job during this crazy time. America is beginning to transition the structure of careers, and Gen Z college students will experience most of this change.
More so than ever before, there are several work-from-home jobs available. People in the past have not accepted the idea, but companies had to compromise during the pandemic. Even companies as big as Apple are taking employees and allowing them to work from the comfort of their own homes. Best of all, they will even train you and provide you with a computer to work from! Having a skill set focused on technology and computer skills will make you stand out and potentially get you jobs like the one mentioned.
No matter what you studied or your experience, it will be essential to keep your options open. Too many college students might become rigid in their desire to stay within their field. The coronavirus pandemic presents people with a new and challenging job market becoming increasingly digital and remote. Graduates should be open to flexible pay, hours and possibly focus more on benefits as a necessity.
Having health care and retirement plans with your job is equally as important as pay. However, college graduates are often surprised by entry-level positions and how low starting salaries are. It would be wise to be flexible in regards to your expectations about starting pay and what the beginning stages of your career look like.
Be sure to network and connect digitally with companies and employers. In school, there were likely mixers where you could personally connect with people within the industry. Unfortunately, the pandemic has halted many social gatherings, making it difficult for the brief visit to an employer to drop off a resume or even go to a marketing mixer to meet people in the field. Sign up for websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job websites to ensure people see your profile. Upload your resume and always check for jobs to make sure you at least find a few options you are comfortable performing.
Students might wonder if studying and achieving scholarships is worth the hassle in a new and increasingly digital world. Colleges have been turning students away in favor of distance learning, and many students don’t receive a good college experience. Their scholarship money also appears to be unused if they are living at home and studying. It’s not a wrong question to ask yourself.
To make the best decision for yourself, it is essential to analyze the market. Whatever you decide, be sure that you tailor your skills and goals to the current transitionary period. More likely than not, your new position will be from home, and you might end up working more with technology than your parents or teachers in school ever discussed with you.
Bibliography
Boneparth, Douglas. “What College Graduates Need to Know Entering the Job Market Post-Coronavirus.” CNBC, 31 Mar. 2020, http://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/31/what-college-graduates-must-know-entering-job-market-post-coronavirus.html.
The City of Blogs 