What should feel like a bright, new beginning for early talent entering the job market is instead feeling pretty bleak.

Take Aspen Bailey, for example. Aspen graduated in 2024 with two bachelor degrees: a B.S. in Data Science and a B.A. in Psychology. Over the course of two years, she submitted more than 1,400 job applications, out of which approximately 50 employers reached out to move forward with an interview. That’s less than 1%.

“I felt very defeated when I was denied roles that I had high hopes for, especially the ones where I would make it to the final round,” Aspen told me. “Overall, the job search process has felt like the Call of Duty: Warzone video game. This process breaks you down emotionally, mentally, and physically.”

Unfortunately, stories like Aspen’s aren’t uncommon

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