Graduating from college is one of life’s biggest milestones and is a time for celebration, optimism and excitement about stepping into the professional world. However, for many recent graduates, the post-college reality is anything but smooth. Despite holding degrees, many find themselves struggling to secure meaningful employment, often landing in jobs unrelated to their fields or facing months of job searches.
This troubling trend of jobs for college graduates being hard to find was highlighted in a recent CNN Business article, “Degree in hand, jobs out of reach: Why recent grads are struggling in a competitive market.” The report shed light on the significant challenges college graduates face in finding entry-level jobs, even in fields where they seem qualified. With an increasingly competitive job market, a growing skills gap and limited career preparation at many universities, recent graduates are entering the workforce unprepared for what lies ahead.
The good news? Not every university leaves its students to figure things out alone. At Tiffin University, we prioritize career readiness. Through several programs, services and resources, we ensure that graduates leave with a degree and also the tools and experience they need to thrive in today’s workforce. Let’s dive in!
Why Jobs For College Graduates Are So Difficult to Land
One of the primary challenges current college graduates face is a saturated job market. Certain fields produce far more graduates than there are jobs available, which forces new professionals to compete fiercely for entry-level positions.
Beyond this oversaturation, employers are increasingly looking for candidates with hands-on experience, problem-solving abilities and workplace-ready skills — traits that many college graduates haven’t developed by the time they receive their diplomas. This disconnect between what universities provide and what the workforce demands is often referred to as the “skills gap,” and it plays a significant role in why so many college graduates struggle to secure jobs.
Another contributing factor is the lack of robust career support at many institutions, leaving students to navigate job searches, resumes and interviews on their own. For decades, a college degree was considered the golden ticket to success. But today’s competitive environment has revealed the need for more than just classroom knowledge. Employers want candidates who have developed skills through internships, research or relevant projects.
Do Universities Really Prepare Students for the Real World?
Unfortunately, many universities do not provide the type of career services that bridge the skills gap. Career centers may offer help with resumes or host the occasional job fair, but their efforts are often underfunded or fail to reach all students.
Internships, though highly valued by employers, are often optional during one’s college experience, leaving some graduates with little to no practical experience. This lack of structure and preparation leaves many students ill-equipped to succeed in the transition from academic life to the professional world.
How TU Takes an Active Approach to Career Preparation
On the other hand, we take career preparation seriously at TU. Our Dragon Pathway program is a standout feature, offering students a personalized, term-by-term roadmap designed to help them succeed both academically and professionally.
Dragon Pathway: Structured Support from Day One
Dragon Pathway isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan. Instead, it’s tailored to each student’s unique goals, interests and passions. The program helps students spend more time on courses that directly align with their career aspirations and less time on general requirements.
Students work closely with two advisors: a Professional Advisor, who helps them explore career goals and co-curricular opportunities, and a Faculty Advisor, who provides mentorship within their major and helps them build connections in their field.
This focused approach ensures that students gain the skills and knowledge they need while also giving them opportunities to participate in hands-on learning experiences like internships, research projects and leadership opportunities.
Essential University Career Services
The Dragon Pathway is just one part of our commitment to student success. TU also offers comprehensive career services that go far beyond the basics. Our career services team offers individualized support in critical areas like resume building, interview preparation and networking. They also stay connected to industry trends, ensuring that students are prepared for the demands of the ever-changing job market.
Nationally, the career outcomes percentage for an alumni with a bachelors degree is 84.7%. Tiffin University alumni career outcomes for undergraduate alumni is 14% higher than the national average.*
Internships: Real-World Experience That Sets TU Students Apart
Perhaps the most unique aspect of our approach is that the majority of undergraduate students complete at least one professional internship before graduation. This ensures that they graduate with practical, hands-on experience in their fields.
TU students participate in a wide range of internships across industries. These internships allow students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to realistic scenarios, build their resumes and gain valuable professional connections.
For example, business students can collaborate with local organizations on real projects and science majors can engage in cutting-edge research, while forensic students work on criminal investigations by analyzing case files and visiting crime scenes. This experience sets TU students apart from their peers, giving them a distinct advantage when entering the job market.
According to a recent survey, 89% of undergraduate alumni felt their experience at Tiffin University prepared them for their first destination.*
Why Employers Value Tiffin University Graduates
Employers recognize the value of Tiffin University graduates because they come prepared with more than just theoretical knowledge. By the time they leave TU, students have developed critical thinking skills, a clear understanding of their career goals and the confidence to navigate job interviews and workplace environments. Their resumes not only reflect their academic achievements but also their ability to excel in professional settings.
Our holistic approach to career readiness doesn’t just help students secure their first jobs; it also equips them with the skills and resilience needed for long-term success. This is what makes TU stand out in an era when so many graduates struggle to make the leap from college to career.
According to a recent survey, 98.7% of the undergraduate alumni had a career outcome after graduation.*
How TU Helps Prepare Students for Life After College
For many recent college graduates, finding a job is harder than ever. Oversaturated job markets, a lack of practical experience and minimal career guidance leave many individuals feeling unprepared for the realities of the workforce.
However, through innovative programs like the Dragon Pathway, personalized career services and internships, TU ensures that students graduate with the tools, experience and confidence to succeed. If you’re ready to take control of your future and join a university that puts your career goals first, we encourage you to get in touch today. Your pathway to success starts here.
*Class of 2023-2024 First Destination Survey, Tiffin University. This report compares TU data and national data from the NACE October 2024 report on the Class of 2023, which is a compilation of FDS data from 356 schools across the nation.