CUNY commencement is approaching as soon-to-be graduates describe anxiety about career readiness in an uncertain job market. Students point to on-campus resources as lifelines while artificial intelligence and layoffs disrupt hiring. The job market is described as challenging due to high competition for fewer jobs, with unemployment rising from 3.6% in 2022 to 4.3% in 2026 and unemployment among adults ages 22–27 reaching 5.3%. Entry-level placement is reported as low, with 30% of 2025 graduates and 41% of 2024 graduates finding jobs in their fields. CUNY aims to reduce obstacles through employer-connected programs, and some students report eased anxiety and full-time employment before graduation. CUNY Beyond serves 235,000 degree-seeking and 220,000 non-degree-seeking students and partners with NYC organizations to bridge students and employers.
"Between navigating the challenges of artificial intelligence replacing jobs in several industries, to major layoffs impacting over 5 million workers in 2026 alone according to statistics from the USAFacts Bureau of Labor Statistics Report, college students said on-campus resources are lifelines for securing a job amid the chaos."
"The national unemployment rate has steadily grown from 3.6% in 2022 to 4.3% in 2026. Meanwhile, recent college graduates - adults ages 22-27 - have an unemployment rate of 5.3%. What's more, the Cengage Group 2025 Graduate Employability Report shows that only 30% of 2025 college graduates and 41% of 2024 graduates found entry-level jobs in their respective fields."
"While students said they felt anxious about job hunting, three of them said CUNY's programs eased their anxieties, leading to full-time employment even before they crossed the stage to claim their hard-earned diplomas."
"Lauren Andersen, the vice chancellor of Career Engagement and Industry Partnerships who oversees the public university system's CUNY Beyond initiative, said the department serves over 235,000 degree-seeking students and over 220,000 non-degree-seeking students. The department also partners with New York City-based organizations - both in the private and public sectors - in order to bridge the gap between students and employers."
Read at QNS
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