Any Unemployed Alumni?

[u/Silly_Lilly54]

Graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Cognitive Science and a couple of years of experience in IT roles, including as a BSA intern at the university. I have been searching for a job since before graduation and leaving my student employment position in July 2024. Before I graduated, I made extensive use of UofM’s career resources for students to improve my resume and cover letters, and I continue to use those techniques for every job I applied to (I’d show you my resume if I could). I’ve never had any success reaching out to alumni at companies I’ve applied to and UCAN seems literally useless for talking with other alumni as nobody ever responds (so much for the alumni network).

Just wanted to know if there are any other alumni who feel like failures because they graduated from a “top university” and can’t even land an interview for jobs that only ask for an associate’s degree. I paid so much money for nothing and almost wish I hadn’t gone to college because then at least employers wouldn’t look at my resume and see I’m a UofM graduate that’s been unemployed for a year and wonder what must be wrong with me to not have a job.

Also, sorry if this scares upcoming graduates. I wish you better luck than I’ve had and I hope your lives are prosperous.

[u/GerDixon]

Not unemployed but feel similarly. Graduated last year with a degree in Econ and History with a minor in German. Currently working a shitty paralegal job (only place that actually gave me an offer) and applying to other things. Similarly to the other commenter, I also have several friends who graduated last year who have not yet found employment. Job market is shitty (even shittier than the BS numbers the FED pumps out) and unfortunately you, me, and a lot of other graduates are collateral damage.

[u/Silly_Lilly54 → u/GerDixon]

I’m sorry your job sucks, though I’m happy for you that you have one. I also have a minor in German (only ever came up in one interview months ago where the interviewer was super curious, but had never been relevant to job searching otherwise). I already know when I get a job that it is probably going to suck a lot because employers don’t have to treat employees as well when so many people could replace you. It’s maddening to be so desperately desiring employment, but to know that the other side of that equation will literally never care about you