Graduation is an exciting moment in any student’s life, but the job search is the real challenge ahead. Students at the University of North Georgia are questioning if they are truly prepared to enter the workforce after getting their degrees, with such a highly competitive job market and employers putting greater focus on real-world experience, as well as the concerning rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Many barriers are now in place against students to get jobs right after getting their degree.
A nationwide survey from Strada-Gallup states that a large portion of college students are confident in their ability to receive job opportunities after graduation. More than half of the students surveyed listed that having a good job with good pay and opportunities for career advancement are the primary reason for attending college.
Hands-on learning opportunities and internships have been shown to significantly help with students enter their career, yet many students have a hard time securing these experiences while balancing their academic work and employment.
Morgan Canger, a sophomore dual majoring in biology and nursing at the UNG, shared her perspective on whether she feels prepared to enter the workforce.
“As of right now, probably not,” she said. “Most of the content I learn wouldn’t fly in practice, or even in the commonplace.”
The student also discussed her thoughts on the university’s role in career preparation.
“I think more practical hands-on work with professionals, like internships or apprenticeships, would be really great for getting an actual idea of what all you’ll be doing in your intended career,” she said.
The university does offer many career resources, including resume assistance and career fairs, to help students make the switch from college to professional work. Unfortunately, student engagement with these resources can deviate, as many students do not even know that UNG provides such helpful resources.
Beyond being prepared, searching for a job in students’ fields remains a source of pressure for these advancing adults who are approaching their graduation.
“With all of the new AI stuff and the value of the college degree degrading, I am worried I won’t be able to land a job in the field I studied.” – Morgan Canger, sophomore, biology and nursing
When students at UNG begin to transition from the classroom to the workplace, their real job experiences and their academic instruction will propel them to success. Classroom learning provides a strong base, but many students say that real-world opportunities and career guidance play an even more important role in their confidence after graduating.
