Terrible job market for recent grads

[Anonymous]

Could he work at a technical summer camp? There are ones that do coding, robotics, etc that try to hire computer science/ engineering grads. Probably also a good way to make connections.

[Anonymous]

My nephew who was NOT as CS major (but took some CS courses required for his math/physics major) networked during summers, taking on low-paying IT type jobs and learned new coding skills on the job that he built upon, as well as self-study. When he graduated 2 years ago--with a low GPA, btw (he enjoyed partying too)--he used his network and skills gained during summer internships, and Math minor degree, to land a great job in NYC doing data analytics. Fast forward 2 years an his salary is apx $150,000/year (but NYC salaries higher). He regularly gets new job offers.

[Anonymous]

He needs to move to where the jobs are. I had to do that.

[Anonymous]

Go get training in the trades and open their own general contractor company. They'll make crazy money because no one wants to do the trades anymore and there is insatiable demand for good contractors who do home renovations.

[Anonymous]

For people suggesting the military, it can be a great option, but not everyone is eligible to serve. My son would not be, despite being a good student and a hardworking person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He needs to move to where the jobs are. I had to do that.

And where is that exactly? OP says he is willing to work anywhere.

[Anonymous]

It's a terrible market for kids from all universities. My own will graduate next year and I'm very worried about her job prospects.

[Anonymous]

Has he thought about teaching at a STEM-focused secondary school? The teachers at my kid’s school seem happy working in this brainy environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He needs to move to where the jobs are. I had to do that.

And where is that exactly? OP says he is willing to work anywhere.

Lots of CS work in these metros:
Austin, San Jose, San Diego, Boston

Also lots of CS jobs here and previous posts have listed strategies for finding them.

A lot depends on the CS electives chosen by the srudent, however. There is a surplus in most metro areas of Windows administrators, web programmers (PHP, Java, Javascript, HTML), and other less skill needed CS topics.

[Anonymous]

OP’s kid was not a CS major; he was Computer Engineering. They are not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what his IT skills are, OP, but one place tech people rarely look (but which is often hiring) is local schools and colleges. Those jobs pay less compared to more typical tech jobs, but that's why they are usually looking for people. In spite of comparatively low pay, they tend to offer a lot of stability and good benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go get training in the trades and open their own general contractor company. They'll make crazy money because no one wants to do the trades anymore and there is insatiable demand for good contractors who do home renovations.

Running a business is not easy money. There is a reason why most businesses - including contractors and plumbers - go out of business in less than 5 years. And it's not crazy money, either.

[Anonymous]

Derek Thompson had a great (but depressing) piece about the poor job market for recent grads. May be interesting, if not comforting. I’m sorry that your son is experiencing this and wish him very good luck with his search.

https://www.theatlantic.com/economy/archive/2025/04/job-market-youth/682641/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He needs to move to where the jobs are. I had to do that.

And where is that exactly? OP says he is willing to work anywhere.

Lots of CS work in these metros:
Austin, San Jose, San Diego, Boston

Also lots of CS jobs here and previous posts have listed strategies for finding them.

A lot depends on the CS electives chosen by the srudent, however. There is a surplus in most metro areas of Windows administrators, web programmers (PHP, Java, Javascript, HTML), and other less skill needed CS topics.

If you don’t have relatives you can live with or if you are not already in California, I would be really cautious to move there in his situation. Rent is astronomical. But it might be fine if he’s open to having a bunch of roommates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He needs to move to where the jobs are. I had to do that.

And where is that exactly? OP says he is willing to work anywhere.

Lots of CS work in these metros:
Austin, San Jose, San Diego, Boston

Also lots of CS jobs here and previous posts have listed strategies for finding them.

A lot depends on the CS electives chosen by the srudent, however. There is a surplus in most metro areas of Windows administrators, web programmers (PHP, Java, Javascript, HTML), and other less skill needed CS topics.

Why would you move to any of those places without a job? Like a PP said, those are super expensive locations and there are tons and tons of people applying to every job out there (and everywhere).