Washington CNN — In the last two years, Kirsten Staple has applied for over 500 jobs. Initially, she sought jobs connected to her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, which she obtained in 2022. However, after not securing any positions, she began applying for any full-time work while staying with her parents in El Paso, Texas, even at grocery stores. She has yet to secure employment. Staple’s experience illustrates the particularly challenging circumstances faced by young Americans attempting to launch their careers, despite the overall strength of the US economy. Unemployment rates are historically low, companies are hiring rapidly, and there are more job vacancies than at any time prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to government data that economists and policymakers analyze to assess the labor market. Related article: Not following these job interview tips could lower your chances of landing a job. However, additional data reveals a harsher situation for younger job seekers: The percentage of employed Americans aged 20-24 out of the total working-age population dropped the most in September compared to a year earlier, as per Labor Department data, with a somewhat smaller decline observed in the 25-34 age group. According to a ZipRecruiter survey shared with CNN, the percentage of job seekers aged 18 to 24 who reported taking over a year to secure employment has tripled in the third quarter of this year compared to late 2022. Economists warn that young workers encountering career difficulties early on may suffer long-term earnings losses and miss important learning opportunities during the initial years of their careers. “This all makes me feel behind,” Staple expressed. Any money I receive is from my parents or given to me for my birthday or Christmas. That’s still quite restricted.
