Times are tough in the early career world, but Hunter has resources to make it easier.
For many college seniors, the path towards a degree these past five years have been anything but ordinary. From the many challenges faced from the pandemic and subsequent adjustments to hybrid and online learning models, to political turmoil, prevalent strikes in many major industries and a highly oversaturated internship market, it’s safe to say that the higher education experience looks far different now than it has in the past. And now, for those who can see the finish line, there’s a whole new challenge emerging: the uncertainties of the present day job market, and the difficulties facing post-grad professionals in search of their first job.
According to experts and anyone who has opened LinkedIn lately, the job market for recent graduates is a mixed bag of cautious optimism and significant challenges. While some industries like E-commerce, healthcare and engineering continue to grow and offer opportunities, others like advertising, media and sales are feeling the strain of economic uncertainty, budget cuts and layoffs. How are Hunter students feeling about it? Similarly to the state of the market, it’s also quite the mixed bag.
“How’s the job search been? Decline to answer,” Hunter senior and media major, Nikole Rajgor, joked. “I feel like I’ve been applying to so many different positions, even some internship and entry-level fellowship opportunities. I’m definitely feeling really frustrated because I’m either getting rejected or ghosted.” Rajgor cites that while she doesn’t feel entitled to a job and knows that it’s a competitive industry, she has had seven internships throughout her time in college. Many like Rajgor are left wondering what more they could have done, and coming up short with possible answers.
Rajgor’s resume is highly impressive, with stellar grades and, as she mentioned, an above-average number of internships. In a recent article, The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that even for students with stacked resumes like Rajgor’s, competition is higher than ever. “While hiring projections are higher, companies are being more selective,” says Shawn VanDerziel, NACE executive director. “Graduates with relevant internships, practical experience, and strong networking connections will have a notable advantage.”
Even with all of those things, the journey is far from easy. Hunter, however, has been a notable asset, according to Rajgor. “Hunter’s media department did a good job with preparing us, in my opinion, because David Pavlovsky sends out internship opportunities all the time. I also took Jeanie Ahn’s course ‘From Classroom to Career,’ which helped me tailor my resume and portfolio, and I gained a lot of valuable career advice from her. I do wish I used the Career Center more during my time here, though.”
Hunter’s Career Center, in the East building, is a tool to aid the job search. How would one get involved with the center in the first place? “Just come in!” says the center’s director, Kristina Simonsen. “Networking is one of the most important things students can be doing,” she continues. “Students that are graduating now should be doing informational interviews with people who have the job that they want, or are interested in.”
The Career Center offers plenty of tools to help students get started, from one-on-one advising appointments and résumé workshops to access to the Handshake platform, where students can find internships, job postings, and events targeted specifically to Hunter students. These resources are designed not just to help students land jobs, but to help them build the professional skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workplace.
“Employers right now are reporting a skills gap,” Simonsen notes. “They’re saying that critical thinking is 96% important, yet only 55% of recent graduates come into the workforce demonstrating critical thinking skills.” This gap highlights the importance of not only academic performance, but also soft skills like communication, adaptability and problem-solving, all of which the Career Center aims to help students develop through programming and advising.
So how can students bridge this gap and stand out in a competitive job market? According to Simonsen, it starts with self-agency. “What is self-agency? The ability to take initiative, make decisions, and advocate for yourself rather than waiting for someone to act on your behalf,” she explains. That means taking small but consistent steps: reaching out to alumni for advice, practicing interview skills, attending a networking event, or simply visiting the Career Center to ask questions and explore options.
For graduating seniors feeling the pressure of uncertainty, the message is clear: You don’t have to figure it all out alone. The Career Center is not just a resource, it’s a starting point. And taking that first step, even if it’s just walking through the door, can make all the difference.
For some Hunter students, it’s the professors that make all of the difference, even when their time at Hunter has come to an end. This is the case for recent School of Education graduate, Jackie Moglia, who will begin her new teaching first grade job shortly. “I felt that, especially in the education department, I had really great professors. Even one who did a whole seminar one day on our future, what salaries to look for, where we should get started in our career, and what to not do. I thought that was very helpful, and I definitely applied those things while looking for positions because I knew what I was worth and what my certification was worth, and I wasn’t willing to just take any job with this knowledge. I also feel like I learned a lot from student teaching. I felt like my mentor teacher really, really prepared me for the job search.”
Despite challenges when it comes to students finding their way amidst industry hiring crises, it seems like Hunter is a great place to be in terms of support and opportunity. Here are some tips from Hunter students that we’ve compiled to aid seniors with the upcoming job search:
1- Utilize Hunter events, like the Career Fair and coffee chats.
2- Speak with alumni about their own careers and journeys, utilizing platforms like LinkedIn to connect with people.
3- Visit your advisor or head of your department to inquire about open positions or notable alumni.
4- Visit Hunter’s Career Center.
5- Speak to professors and internship managers for advice and guidance.
6- Utilize programs provided by the Career Center such as Handshake and Focus 2.
Additionally, the Career Center will be hosting a “senior week” from April 22nd through May 1st, which will include events like a Salary Negotiation Workshop, a panel on Unlocking Your Interview Potential, a class on Mastering the Art of Resume Writing and so much more! Hear more about it and the Career Center’s other upcoming events here!
