By Emily Urias
As they prepare to leave college behind, students are stepping into a job market full of uncertainty.
Tariffs are disrupting industries, companies are rethinking how they hire and many graduates are left wondering what their degrees will mean in a changing economy.
There is an expectation for college students to see a return on their investment in education by landing a career in their desired field. However, they are entering a market where the economy seems unpredictable, partly due to recent decisions by President Donald Trump’s administration to impose global tariffs, affecting both consumer prices and the job market.
Roderick Fung, a graduating senior at Long Beach State majoring in fashion merchandising, shared his fear of struggling to find employment after graduation due to the potential effects of tariffs on importing materials for fashion companies.
“Personally, I am stressed to find a job after graduation, especially being a fashion major,” Fung said. “Companies are unsure on when the tariffs will take effect, and their business relations with other factories and manufacturers may change because of that.”
Matt Lesenyie, an assistant professor of political science at CSULB, said the job market for graduates feels unpredictable because politics directly impact the economy.
“They’ve announced they are going to impose tariffs, but they’ve also backed out and that affects people and their jobs because material imports can become expensive,” Lesenyie said.
However, Lesenyie added that this economic shift could benefit graduating students, as employers are often more willing to hire entry-level candidates than experienced professionals, largely because lower wages are typically associated with entry-level roles.
“The best advice I can give, as someone who graduated from my university in a time of a recession, is to prepare yourself that you might not get a job right away,” Lesenyie said. “You will be fishing for jobs until you get a good one. Practice interviewing and get ready to own the space.”
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, instead of using grade point averages as a screening tool, many companies are shifting toward skills-based hiring.
Despite facing the unknown when it comes to post-graduation employment, seniors like Katie Hernandez, a studio art major, are focusing on what she can control.
“The job market can be unpredictable, especially in creative fields like mine. All I can do is be prepared in things I am in control of, like networking, building my portfolio and learning industry relevant tools,” Hernandez said.
While the future of the job market remains unclear, one thing is certain: the way companies hire is evolving.
As employers move away from traditional markers, like GPA, and toward skills-based hiring, those who can adapt and demonstrate real-world experience may be better positioned to succeed, even in an unpredictable economy.
