CUNY Grads Face Shortage of Entry-Level Jobs in NYC

"It's not the quality of the academics-it's the accessibility of work experience and professional networks, and being able to access them early and often. CUNY is a really complex organization, and that ecosystem can be challenging for employers. Instead of having no wrong door, it often feels like there's no door at all, and many employers still don't understand how to tap into the system."

"Entry-level job postings in New York City have plunged 37.4 percent since 2022, while paid internship postings are down 37.1 percent from pre-pandemic levels. Just 12 percent of undergraduates complete a paid internship-far below the national average of 57 percent."

"The three-year graduation rate at CUNY's community colleges has doubled over the past decade. However, the report found that many graduates still struggle to find careers aligned with their degrees. Roughly one in 10 alumni ends up working in retail or food service five years after graduation-a figure that rises to 13 percent for community college graduates."

CUNY, serving over 200,000 students across 25 campuses, has significantly improved degree completion rates, with community college three-year graduation rates doubling over the past decade. However, graduates face substantial challenges securing well-paying employment aligned with their degrees. Entry-level job postings in New York City have declined 37.4% since 2022, while paid internship postings are down 37.1% from pre-pandemic levels. Only 12% of CUNY undergraduates complete paid internships, far below the national average of 57%. Approximately one in ten alumni work in retail or food service five years after graduation, rising to 13% for community college graduates. Experts emphasize that expanding employer partnerships and improving access to work experience and professional networks are critical to addressing this employment gap.

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