Episode: 144

Episode Title: College Students Facing an Uncertain Future

It’s a high-stakes moment for Gen-Z college students, who are facing an uncertain future. Here’s one way to encourage them, coming up next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 144 show:

Hello and welcome—I’m your host, Mark Perna! The pandemic has made everyone uncertain about the future, but no one more so than Generation-Z college students. Last fall, many weren’t sure if they should even go back to school that semester. Career scarring is also looming, where workers who launch their careers during a recession face persistently lower wages and slower advancement. They’ve reached a high-stakes moment in their education and career journey—and the pandemic isn’t making it any easier.

According to a recent CollegeFinance.com survey, only 3 in 10 college students now feel confident about getting their desired job once they graduate. Less than a quarter believe they will receive their desired salary after graduation. Nearly 1 in 6 students lost the positions they had lined up before the pandemic hit, with only 9% reporting they were still able to work at jobs offered to them prior to Covid-19. 

Facing an uncertain future, these students could use some encouragement. We can remind them that their generation has earned a new nickname: Generation Resilient. This goes for everyone in Generation Z, not just Gen-Z college students. This generation has already experienced so many tough things. They’re going to get through this, too—and come out stronger on the other side. 

Maybe you know a student who’s currently feeling stuck, like the students who took part in this survey. Encourage them to persevere, to start investing time now to build their dream, and to remember what makes them great. They don’t give up; they’re resilient. 

You can make a bigger difference for the young people in your sphere of influence. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more insights and ideas. We’ll see you back here tomorrow at the Syndicate.