By: Stephanie Shaver
January 2025
For many of us, the importance of a college education was ingrained in us from a young age. We were told it was the key to a stable, well-paying job and a brighter future. Without it, we risked a life of financial insecurity, watching our college-educated peers thrive. However, the reality of today’s job market tells a different story.
While a college education remains essential for many professions, the promise of a guaranteed pathway to success feels less certain. For recent graduates, particularly those from public universities or nontraditional backgrounds, the road to meaningful employment can be fraught with challenges.
The Gaps in Preparation
One of the greatest hurdles graduates face is the lack of hands-on experience. Many students, particularly those who attend public universities or online programs, find it difficult to balance coursework with internships or extracurricular activities that enhance their resumes. Without these experiences, graduates often struggle to stand out in a crowded job market.
For non-traditional students—those juggling families, full-time jobs, or other life responsibilities—the challenges are even greater. Unlike their younger peers, these students often cannot attend networking events, join campus organizations, or access the same resources due to time constraints. Online attendance, while a flexible option, can also make building connections with professors and classmates more difficult, further isolating students from opportunities.
Facing Reality
As a non-traditional college student myself, I experienced these challenges firsthand. Balancing coursework with the demands of family life and part-time work left little room for professional development. When I graduated, I felt unprepared for the competitive job market. My degree, while valuable, wasn’t enough to secure the opportunities I had envisioned.
This isn’t an isolated experience. Research shows that recent college graduates often struggle to find jobs that match their qualifications, with many working in fields unrelated to their degrees. Non-traditional students face additional barriers, including age discrimination, limited mobility, and a lack of tailored support from their institutions.
Where Do We Go from Here?
While these challenges are daunting, they’re not insurmountable. Public universities and online programs can take steps to better support their students. Career services offices should actively engage with nontraditional students, offering flexible networking events, online workshops, and partnerships with local employers.
For students, finding employment post-graduation requires proactive effort:
Start Early: Internships, volunteer work, and part-time roles related to your field can make a significant difference.
Network Strategically: Even for online or non-traditional students, platforms like LinkedIn and professional associations can help build valuable connections.
Leverage Transferable Skills: Highlight the skills you’ve gained outside of traditional education—time management, problem-solving, and leadership can set you apart.
The challenges facing recent graduates, particularly non-traditional ones, reveal an urgent need for systemic changes in higher education and career preparation. While earning a degree is an achievement worth celebrating, the journey to meaningful employment requires more than a diploma. By addressing these gaps, we can create a system that supports all students in achieving their career goals.
Editor’s Note: The author of this piece, Stephanie Shaver, used her own practical advice and found a new position at The People Sentinel, a newspaper serving Barnwell County and the surrounding area in South Carolina.