A college professor has admitted witnessing a troubling pattern among his former students—high-achieving graduates struggling to land jobs. In a LinkedIn post, James O’Brien, a computer science professor at UC Berkeley, shared his concerns, emphasizing that despite students earning degrees with excellence, employment opportunities aren’t following as expected.
Even 4.0 GPA Students Are Not Getting Hired
Professor O’Brien pointed out that even his “outstanding” students—those graduating with perfect 4.0 GPAs—are facing a bleak job market. “Tech degrees no longer guarantee employment,” he wrote. “Recently, I’ve been hearing the same story again and again. In the past, even average Berkeley CS graduates would receive several compelling offers in terms of salary, company, and location. That’s no longer the case.”
He explained that top students with excellent academic records and experience are now contacting him in distress, wondering why their efforts aren’t translating into job offers. O’Brien believes this reflects a deeper, likely irreversible trend affecting job seekers across various industries.
An Ongoing Job Market Shift for Future Graduates
The professor suggested that students just entering college today may also face limited job prospects upon graduation. With mass layoffs and an increase in unemployed professionals, the pool of job seekers is growing rapidly, making it harder for new graduates to break through.
“We need to take action now,” O’Brien urged. He also referenced a Wall Street Journal report highlighting the decline in tech employment. According to Indeed.com, job postings for software developers have dropped over 30% since February 2020.
So far this year, tech layoffs have continued at an alarming rate, with more than 137,000 positions eliminated since January.
The Reality Behind the College Degree Promise
It’s discouraging to hear about the weak job market facing today’s college grads, especially considering the long-held belief that a degree opens doors. The idea that “a diploma equals job security” is being seriously challenged.
Despite years of study and mounting student debt, graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to secure positions in their chosen fields. The struggle spans industries, not just tech.
Alarming Trends in Graduate Employment
A recent study from the Strada Institute for the Future of Work and the Burning Glass Institute revealed that 52% of bachelor’s degree holders are underemployed within a year of graduating. Even a decade later, 45% remain in jobs that don’t require a degree.
Additionally, a survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers showed a dip in hiring expectations for this year’s graduating class. Sectors like finance, insurance, and real estate anticipate a 14.5% drop in hiring, reversing last year’s 16.7% growth.
Universities Urged to Prepare Students for Today’s Job Market
To confront this harsh reality, colleges and universities must rethink how they prepare students for life after graduation. This includes offering transparent information about job market trends, providing robust career counseling, resume support, and realistic guidance on job outcomes.
Better preparation and honest conversations may be key to helping future graduates navigate a market that no longer rewards academic excellence alone
