By Will Flores. Many believe that pursuing higher education is strongly correlated with obtaining a high-income job, while others believe that the need for higher education has diminished over time. This difference may come down to the challenges faced by life as a recent graduate.
A 2024 study from the Burning Glass Institute and the Strada Institute for the Future of Work showed that 52% of college graduates are in fact working in jobs that don’t require higher education. Jobs with upward potential are crucial to those who have completed their education and require more experience and development – jobs in fields like management, advertising, technician, graphic designer, and research analyst.
“I certainly don’t mind working where I am now as a retail supervisor, but I do have this feeling that I went to school and studied for two years on something I’m not using,” says Jesus Martinez, a 2023 college graduate with an associate’s degree in theater. When asked if they have a feeling of regret, Jesus disagreed. “I don’t regret it one bit, it was something I enjoyed doing and it was my choice, one that my parents also supported. I spent countless nights scrolling through LinkedIn, reaching out to anyone for auditions. It was rough and eventually, you know, I gave out… maybe if I continued, I might have pulled something off.”
Current Brooklyn College student studying education, Brittney Green, says, “I’m passionate about becoming a teacher, but there’s always an uncertainty of the job pool after graduation. I’ve heard talk over the ‘competition’ from a couple of the teachers I spoke to during my overseeing hours… sure, I’m worried about finding a position once I graduate, but even more so one that aligns with my values and training. A school that truly cares.”
Khalil Herrera, a Queensborough student pursing a degree in architecture, has a slightly different approach. “What I’ve been made [to see] pretty clearly is that with a career such as being an architect, it’s almost as if you’re the product, and you have to try and sell yourself to them. They have to want you, and what’s more important is getting the right experience. But I am optimistic, because this is what I enjoy doing.”
William Battaglia, a Senior Operations Manager at Rockefeller Center, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, has found a career outside of his major. “I certainly wouldn’t say my career has ever been as straight as what people may think, it was more of a curvy and bumpy ride, definitely some high and lows getting here.” William’s story proves that you don’t always have to stick with your first choice of field. “I never really followed up with my journalism degree, I sort of fell out of that space and I didn’t have the time, I prioritized working, trying to make as much money as I could., stuffing my pockets with experience and money.”
Despite these more important and career-defining jobs being difficult to achieve, hard work and dedication can get you there. The QCC Office of Career Services provides “career advisement and professional development services to all Queensborough Community College undergraduate students and recent alumni.” These services can help students find jobs, internships, resume assistance and advise, providing support to students utilizing one-to-one sessions, group sessions, and electronic modalities. For further assistance email the Office of Career Services at careerservices@qcc.cuny.edu.
