Broadening the Path
With graduation quickly approaching, I often feel anxious about what comes next. As a resident advisor, I have been fortunate to receive housing through the university, but this privilege will end once I complete my degree. Like many pre-law students, I faced several years of financial instability before securing a job in my field that provided a livable wage—especially in an expensive city like Los Angeles. Throughout my time as a student, I have worked various part-time jobs to make ends meet. However, many of these roles are not highly regarded in my field. Additionally, the burden of repaying student loans while trying to save for law school significantly limits what I can allocate toward rent and other expenses. Between being a student and becoming a lawyer lies a significant financial gap. Within this gap are costs such as LSAT preparation, application fees, tuition, and temporary housing. These mounting expenses often serve as barriers for those who do not come from generational wealth or a lineage of lawyers. Many students are forced to abandon their dreams of pursuing law—or other rigorous fields like medicine and scientific research—due to the lack of financial and institutional support after completing their undergraduate education. Creating pathways that promote equal access to stable careers is a necessary investment in our generation’s success. In recent years, it has become increasingly important for students to obtain graduate or professional degrees, yet the costs and challenges of doing so remain overwhelming. Policies that improve accessibility and help young adults navigate the workforce will be essential in fostering a future of diverse and capable leaders for our nation. Allen, Mariah, CA
Finding a Stable Income After Graduating from College
Since my first year of college, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the direction my career would take after graduation. I knew that having experience was crucial, and employers would closely evaluate my background to determine if I was qualified for any position I applied to. To build my experience, I pursued numerous internships and part-time positions in various fields, including career services, homelessness research, student services, and immigration services. Through these roles, I developed strong reading and writing skills, which I believe will make me competitive for an administrative job to support myself after graduation. My ultimate career goal is to work as a policy analyst for a nonprofit focused on immigration or homelessness issues. Of course, this is a long-term objective, so my immediate plan is to secure an entry-level policy-related job and later apply to graduate programs to earn a Master’s in Public Policy. I have actively searched for entry-level policy jobs on various job platforms, including Indeed, Handshake, and LinkedIn. However, since graduating in June, I have struggled to find a full-time position in my field. Finding employment after graduation has caused me financial hardships. Since I could not continue working at my university job, I had to move back home with my parents, knowing I couldn’t afford rent without a stable income. I have applied to numerous positions but received very few responses from employers and fewer interview opportunities. In most cases, I receive no updates on whether my application is under review—even after following up two weeks later. It is frustrating to feel qualified for entry-level positions yet hear nothing back from employers. The stress continues to build as my expenses pile up. I have also noticed that many job postings are outdated or no longer accepting applications, which may explain why I receive so few responses. Additionally, finding entry-level policy positions in my area has proven difficult. I’m unsure if this is due to my location or if there are limited opportunities for entry-level roles in policy. Most of the positions I come across are senior-level, for which I am not yet qualified. I would love more support in navigating the policy field and identifying entry-level job opportunities that could eventually lead me to my long-term goal. Are there alternative entry-level roles that, while not directly policy-related, could help me build the experience necessary to transition into policy work? I know there are multiple paths to achieving my career goals, but I am struggling to determine what those paths look like. Garcia, Amy, CA
Grown-ish to Grown
When we leave college, we all feel grown. Even while in college, we feel grown-ish. We feel as though we hold the world in our hands. However, as I approach the end of my college journey, I realize that the risk of leaving college unemployed is constantly increasing. Entry-level positions ask for 3+ years of experience, as if that qualifies as an entry-level employee. Internships help, but I don’t have years to be unemployed with the ever-changing economy, and there aren’t many programs to assist students in securing a job. As a first-generation student and a Black woman wanting to get into politics, all odds seem to be against me. However, I am always met with the same reason for denial: “limited experience.” But how am I supposed to have enough experience for an entry-level position that requires a degree I couldn’t have obtained without first graduating, yet demands 3 years of experience when I just graduated a few months ago? The job market seems to be working against new grads. More opportunities for new graduates would help many individuals. To make the transition from grown-ish to grown much more adaptable and smooth, employers should offer more internships or create career programs that guarantee a set number of new grad hires or apprenticeships for a year. This would help address the most significant obstacle—experience—while providing possible job offers and secure futures for students, something many long for. When you’re grown, you want a stable source of income and a secure future. This approach would significantly impact the transition from grown-ish to grown. Jones, Keirah, CA