Faced with labor market struggles, college students are looking for new paths to success

When it comes to success in the job market, your college major can have a big impact, determining how much you get paid and your likelihood of getting a job.

For incoming college students, the current job market may be particularly challenging, as recent graduates face a higher unemployment rate than all workers.

In addition, some majors, such as computer science, which have historically led to high-paying jobs, have had the highest unemployment rates.

According to New York Fed data, these were the major companies with the highest unemployment rates:

• Anthropology: 9.4%
• Physics: 7.8%
• Computer Engineering: 7.5%
• Commercial art and graphic design: 7.2%
• Fine arts: 7%

On the other hand, the college majors with the lowest unemployment rates were nutritional sciences majors (0.4%), followed by building services majors (0.7%). Unemployment rates in special education, civil engineering, and animal and plant sciences are only 1%.

Why do some big companies flounder while others thrive?

According to experts, computer engineering majors may face relatively high unemployment rates as the sector cuts back on spending starting in 2022.

For liberal arts majors, high unemployment rates may result from a lack of specialized skills and limited demand in the labor market. Majors with more specific skill sets may perform better, as their skills can align more directly with employers’ needs.

On the other hand, industries such as healthcare and engineering have seen strong and stable growth as well as high employment rates for several years.

How can college graduates get jobs after graduation?

If your college major has a high unemployment rate, you may need to be more flexible in your job search.

“For graduates with majors associated with high unemployment rates such as anthropology, fine arts or graphic design, the key is to remain flexible and focus on building transferable skills,” said Priya Rathod, workplace trends editor at Indeed. “Think communication, problem solving, project management, or customer service. These soft skills are often the secret sauce that helps new graduates stand out and remain marketable across industries.”

Don’t have any full-time experience in your field? that’s ok. Compile your resume with a combination of part-time and other experiences you have.

“Internships, part-time jobs, freelance work, and volunteer experiences are all valuable ways to grow your resume and expand your network — especially in fields where entry-level roles are very limited or hiring cycles move more slowly,” Rathod said.

Ultimately, look at your first job out of college as a way to get ahead, even if it doesn’t meet all your expectations.

“For all college graduates, the first job out of school isn’t always a ‘dream job’ — and that’s okay. Remember: your major is a starting point, not a limitation,” Rathod said. “A flexible strategic approach can open opportunities across industries.”