College graduates grapple with the economy

Courtney Hollmon has spent the past year actively preparing for life post-graduation.  

She’s a senior broadcast journalism student at the University of South Carolina who has had internships with ESPN, TNT Sports and now works for the Columbia Fireflies, broadcasting games.  

Stepping into the job market scares her despite her experience.  

“My mom used to tell me to watch the news, and I used to brush it off, but now I get it,” she said. “I’m about to be an adult. Things like tariffs and the economy could impact my pay and the type of job I get.”  

A 2024 education report by the Burning Glass Institute and Strada Education Foundation said 52% of graduates were underemployed a year after graduation. The same report said, “the first job after graduation is critical” to long-term career outcomes.  

“Underemployment means that the student is working in a job that does not require a four-year degree,” USC Career Center Director Helen Powers said. “We do want graduates to make sure they are maximizing their degree.”  

The career center offers job fairs, resume building assistance, interview prep and access to Gamecock Grad Stats for students and alumni.  

“Gamecock Grad Stats is a great place to be able to see where other alumni from the university actually go,” Powers said.  

Hollmon used those resources, and her network of professors, to secure internships and opportunities.  

“Those internships gave me real-world experience and life skills I’ll carry into any job,” she said. “They taught me to be confident in my abilities. You have to be uncomfortable to get comfortable.”  

Hollmon said her expectations of the job market were “kind of crashed,” even with internship experiences.   

She is not alone in her uncertainty.   

Charles Wofford, a senior political science major at Claflin University, doesn’t plan on going straight to the workforce after graduation.   

He has long had his sights set on Howard University’s School of Law.   

But current policies have him considering options in Mississippi, his home state, for the luxury of in-state tuition.  

“Some scholarships that cater to minority students may not be available when I attend law school,” he said. “I may need to move back in with my parents during this time. If I’m close to the school, I can commute to the campus.”  

He’s even considering joining the military.  

“It’s always been a backup plan in the back of my mind just in case something goes wrong,” Wofford said. “I’m definitely weighing it more now.”  

Kaila Campbell, also a senior at Claflin, said the job market is challenging.  

“The job market isn’t great right now,” she said. “It’s kind of trash. They already want you to have two to three years of experience for an entry-level position. If I am looking to gain that experience, who is hiring with no experience?”  

She is a human performance and recreation major, who could be an athletic trainer, coach, health/fitness specialist, and recreation specialist.

But she plans to pursue a master’s in public health at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her goal is to help marginalized communities gain access to more health resources — an issue she fears may increase.  

“Though we are in uncertain times, we’ve gotten through uncertain times before,” said Powers, USC’s Career Center director. “I know it’s scary but do what you can do to prepare.”   

Powers said students should focus on marketing their skills. 

“A great candidate, a great employee, a great potential graduate is going to be a great potential graduate to hire regardless,” Powers said.