South metro grads face tough job market
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Job market uncertainty has crept into everyday life for most Americans, and the youngest students among us feel like they're shouldering much of that burden.
Why it matters: Twenty-three-year-old Lily Mazzoline, and millions of future grads like her, need jobs — but they're stressed, disappointed and a little ticked off.
The big picture: Confidence is low. In recent Gallup polling, just 27% of college grads say it's a good time to find a quality job, and only 19% feel optimistic about the broader job market as AI disruption looms.
Zoom in: Mazzoline, who's earning an associate's degree in business from Arapahoe Community College, attended her school's career fair in mid-April.
- The Heritage High School grad hoped the event might spring her toward employment.
- She's open to working in any field where she can interact directly with people.
By the numbers: After at least 30 applications and five interviews over the past three months, she's dejected about her prospects.
- "I can't believe how competitive and closed-off the market feels right now," Mazzoline tells Axios. "Everything is like a door that you have to push your way through."
Representatives from about 30 small businesses, banks and government entities met ACC students at the fair.
- Among them were BOK Financial, South Suburban Parks and Recreation, Aurora Police and the Cherry Creek School District.
What they're saying: "We have to think about what's going to be the next sector for growth and how do we connect our students and graduates to that," says Julie Beggs, ACC's vice president of economic mobility and workforce innovation.
Behind the scenes: ACC is rethinking how it educates its students — including determining which industries are about to pop.
- ACC's recently launched Colorado Space Program will connect students to training opportunities in the state's burgeoning aerospace industry.
- The school may eventually eliminate select programs in arts and sciences and business.
Zoom out: Like other soon-to-be grads, Mazzoline is unsure how to stand out in the sea of applicants.
- "The way companies are using AI to scan resumes, it feels like I'm on a dating site," she says.
Reality check: It's a struggle for soon-to-be grads.
- "I've definitely gone through the deflated feeling, like, "Oh, my gosh, when am I going to find a job?'" says Mazzoline, who recently moved back into her childhood home. "Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough."
The bottom line: She said she's "not done trying."
- The BOK representative asked to connect on LinkedIn and Mazzoline plans to follow up soon.
- "I believe there's a place for me, I just have to keep pushing until I find it."