Why This Millennial Can’t Land a Job Despite Having College Degrees!

• Meet a determined millennial from Virginia, armed with two degrees and a relentless spirit, who’s been hunting for a job since January 2020.
• Despite his impressive qualifications, he finds himself overqualified for entry-level positions, leaving him frustrated and bewildered.
• He’s not alone; many college-educated Americans are navigating a challenging job market, struggling to find opportunities that match their skills.

Roland Hesmondhalgh embarked on his job search journey in early 2020, and nearly three years later, he’s still navigating the turbulent waters of unemployment.

Before the pandemic hit, Roland was working as a part-time photojournalist while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in multiplatform journalism at the Florida Institute of Technology. He had high hopes that his hard work would lead to a full-time role, but he was laid off just before graduation. Now 32 and residing in Virginia, he’s grappling with the harsh realities of the job market.

Since then, he has dabbled in a few freelance gigs in photography and YouTube scriptwriting, but the pay has been dismal at best. His search for stable employment has yielded little success, despite his relentless efforts.

Roland dedicates time each week to scour job boards and apply for positions. He even earned a master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown last year, hoping to broaden his opportunities. In a bid to secure any job, he expanded his search to include roles in retail and restaurants, thinking, “I’ll do anything from stocking shelves to flipping burgers.”

Yet, the second interviews remain elusive. Roland laments that his degrees have “opened no doors” and feels overqualified for many of the entry-level positions he’s targeting. This has left potential employers hesitant, viewing his qualifications as a red flag rather than an asset.

“I cannot get a job to save my life,” he expresses, capturing the frustration felt by many in his situation.

While the male unemployment rate is significantly lower than in previous decades, Roland is among those who are struggling to find work or have stopped looking altogether. In 1950, approximately 97% of men aged 25 to 54 were either employed or actively seeking work. Fast forward to June of this year, and that figure has dipped to about 90%, though it’s the highest it’s been since 2010.

A contributing factor to this decline is the increasing difficulty for men to secure high-paying positions without a college degree. While many companies are becoming more open to hiring candidates without formal education, Roland’s experience illustrates that having a degree does not always equate to success. The rising costs of higher education and the question of whether it’s worth it looms large for many.

Roland candidly shares his thoughts on why finding a job has been a daunting task and outlines his plans moving forward.

Degrees: A Double-Edged Sword in the Job Market

With no consistent income, Roland now leans on student loans, the occasional sale of a young-adult book he published, insurance payouts tied to his father’s passing, and financial support from his mother, who receives disability payments.

To cut down on living expenses, he recently moved from Washington, DC, to Arlington, Virginia. If his job search remains fruitless, he might consider moving back in with his mom next year.

His job search strategy consists of staying on the mailing lists of about six online job boards, applying in person whenever possible, and casting a wide net to include any position he feels qualified for.

Ideally, Roland aspires to secure a job in journalism, the field he’s trained for. Unfortunately, most positions require three to five years of formal newsroom experience, which he lacks. Compounding this is a broader slowdown in hiring across the industry.

In his quest for non-journalism roles, he feels his education has sometimes worked against him.

“When I walk into a place with a hiring sign and chat with a supervisor, their eyes light up at first. But once I mention my credentials, I often get ghosted,” he shares. “I don’t want to exaggerate my experience, yet it feels like honesty is my downfall.”

He adds that prior experience in entry-level roles seems irrelevant in his current pursuit for work.

“For low-level jobs, it’s not about experience,” he points out, citing his past roles in pizza shops, dog kennels, and supermarkets.

The closest he’s come to securing a job was a tentative offer from both the Supreme Court and the US Capitol Police, but for reasons unknown, those opportunities slipped away.

Looking ahead, Roland is committed to his job search, no matter how long it takes. Meanwhile, he’s enhancing his skills through Harvard’s online creative-writing program to further his writing credentials and stay engaged.

He misses the sense of purpose that comes with employment.

“It pains me to see news reports about record hiring while I’m struggling to secure even a minimum wage position,” he reflects. “I spent years and tens of thousands on my education, only to face these hurdles.”

If you’re feeling disheartened in your job hunt or have an experience to share, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your story matters.