Graduated with my bachelor’s in December’09, graduated with my Master’s in December’19...couldn’t make this up if I wanted to

You know the job market is bad when a harvard grad with a stats major (a very in demand major) gets a call that his offer is terminated

I graduated into the 2008 recession. It was one of the hardest things to live through feeling like you did everything right but nothing paying off. I feel for everyone who's graduating right now and entering into this job market. Throw out whatever career/life path you thought you were going to have and be prepared to take a long winding unclear road to get to your career and life goals.

2010 graduate here. It sucked. Worked minimum wage, retail for a solid 5 years after that. Finally places were hiring full time in my area in 2015 and landed my accounting job finally.

College went from a "necessary investment" to a massive liability.

I graduated during the recession. It sucked and it never got better. Let's not sugarcoat it for these kids. It will be hard

RIP to all international students.

I graduated in '07 and spent my 20s in poverty working minimum wage jobs getting fired and evicted left and right and sleeping on couches and behind grocery stores. At 29 I turned it all around and started selling thrifted clothes and doing food deliveries on bicycle. Now I'm about to buy a car for the first time in ten years and I'm getting months ahead on my rent. It is never too late to turn things around you just have to be willing to PLAN for it and keep going after it day after day no matter how discouraged you might get.

In America, you're never safe unless you're extremely wealthy

The Universe: Welp I already destroyed the Millennials time to move on to Gen Z. Cracks knuckles.

Good on CNBC for bringing 2008/2009 graduates to get a perspective from the last recession 👍🏻

It's so cool that everyone here has a stable household they can return to when they are down on their luck. Really wish there was a focus on issues that a more diverse student body faces in the job market.

Millennial : First time ? Gen Z: yeah

I’m also a 2020 college graduate and it makes me feel better that I’m not alone. The situation is so unfortunate and it does feel like my life is being delayed, but the advice the ‘09 graduates gave is valuable. Loved this video, thanks!!

I graduated from college in 2009. Got a $16/Hr job but got laid off within 6 months. Wandered for about 2 years. Went back to school for nursing. Now I'm "essential" and make 4 times that. Tough times down last, tough people do.

Graduated high school in 2008 and now from my undergrad in a few weeks. My timing is impeccable

Graduated in May 2019, it took me 10 months (March) to get a job in my career (Video Producer) got laid off within 4 days. 😪

I graduated into the Great Recession in 2008. I lost income and wealth building opportunities I will never be able to recover. This situation seems much much worse. These graduates have had it bad, having to finish their last semester online and not having a graduation ceremony...etc. I wish them all the best. Stay strong grads 💪

Graduated may 2019 with my bachelor's with my dream job offer. Everyone thought I was crazy for not doing one more year to get my masters (my program had just rolled out a 4+1 joint BS/MS program). I thank my lucky stars everyday I decided against that one year delay. I really feel for these graduates, they did everything right and the world did them dirty.

Yo. These are smart kids with job offers before graduation. Imagine the kids who didn't go to college.

I get it. I graduated back in 2009 during the last recession. It was difficult for anyone to find a job. People were getting laid off right and left. Asset values were plummeting. The world was uncertain that we would recovered from what was the worst recession since the great depression. What I found important was the fact that I never gave up. You will get multiple doors closed on your face, but you need to look ahead and make sure you keep your chin up and keep trying. While your dream job might be pushed forward on your timeline, it doesn't mean you won't land it. Stay focus and and if you're determined enough, you will get through this stronger. PS: Congrats on graduating class of 2020! The culmination of hardwork for the past few years was not a waste. Its just unfortunate to be in the situation we're in right now.

Hi everyone, I'm in this video and I want to say that looking through the comments I'm AMAZED at how supportive people have been! So many people who graduated in the last recession are sharing their advice and what they learned, and even just sentiments like "this sucks, but good luck" are nice to hear. There's obviously a few people gloating or saying that we deserve this, but it's a KZfaq comments section so what can you do? If anyone has any questions for me or wants to say their piece to my virtual face, replying to this comment is a good place to start! Stay safe everyone and I hope you keep your jobs haha!

I just graduated with my computer engineering degree. I worked for an ikea warehouse while going to school. They just bumped up my hourly pay from $17 to $21. Im just gonna chill and keep doing what I’ve been doing and work on some resume projects then find an hardware engineering job or software dev job when this virus blows over.

Living with parents isn't so bad. I paid off my student loans in 1 year by doing it

I graduated in 2012 obtaining MSc in IT (distinction)... was jobless for 10 months, lost 22 pounds due to that, my health plummeted as well, developed a bad cough and almost got pneumonia at the end. I was also alone in another country so there were days I literally did not speak to anyone... it was the lowest point of my life. However, during that time I learned a lot about online marketing and e-commerce. Thanks to that I have a successful business now working 100% from home during this terrible pandemic. So yeah... it kind of made me stronger and now I do what I love.

Whenever I see a story of an international going through this, my heart goes out to each and every single one. Cause been there and I never want someone else to feel that same level of pain and discouragement.

I (28M) graduated with my BA from a Top 15 university in 2014. I have been underemployed ever since. Most of it has been because of my feeling lost and confused about not only what I want to do for a career, but also what I need to do to get there. It's also mental health issues that I have had to manage and overcome. Both of my parents have died in the last three years. Last year I started my Masters in supply chain management. In August of 2020 I will receive my Masters degree. I have started applying for supply chain jobs as I work at my grocery store. Life is hard and most things don't just show up on your door step. Nothing is guaranteed anymore. To all new graduates and future graduates, you're not alone. Welcome to the club!

The point about nothing making yourself too general is really good advice. Communication majors out here crying.

Class of 2020 is going to be competing with 21' and '22 graduate for jobs in the short term.

Thank you for making one of the few good videos showing what is happening to students. A lot of videos are only focusing on the lost graduations, which is the least of our problems. And even though this video does shed light on important issues, it only glosses over the fact that not every student has a home to go back to.

I graduated highschool in 07 recession. Graduated college in 2012. Recession again. Went back to college in 2018 finished 2020. I will never work in my intended fields.

It’s sad and scary especially because students don’t get stimulus checks

I needed this video so much, good to see others can relate to my struggles right now.. I'm UNC class of 2020 and the job offer that I had lined up also got revoked.

This is how I feel and I am so depressed I feel like I can’t handle it anymore. I don’t want to mooch off my parents and I feel like I’m a failure.

Starting to think getting a B.S. in marketing was one of biggest mistakes of my life so far.

I didn’t go to college, started welding and work never even slowed up during what’s going on. College isn’t for everyone and landing your dream job out of college isn’t always going to happen, tough economical times or not. I have no debt and just google what a welder makes. You finish college and often have no job experience. Learn a trade, go to work, start paying off your debt and don’t give up on the dream job but pick a job in a demand. Eventually having a degree will pay off.

Graduated in 2007. My advice would be don't wait for a job and start your own business or work for yourself.

I graduated with a JD (law degree) in May 2017, I was 26. In a healthy economy it still took 1.5 years to find a meaningful, well paid job as an associate attorney. I moved back home and applied to more than 100 jobs.95% rejections. I eventfully got hired at a good firm with good pay. It’s ok if you spend the next 1-3 years spinning your wheels, you will get to where you need to go. We’re all affected by this. Keep applying, keep going.

Nice to see so many encouraging and advice-filled comments. I thankfully had a job when the recession hit but I definitely had to work hard and be flexible to stay employed. So for those who do have a job offer - be prepared to take on additional responsibilities to cover for those that are laid off or positions that go unfilled. Keep a pulse on what is happening in your industry so you can keep your skills up to date and sharp and be ready to jump on opportunities.

Vacation is positive way of seeing through. Vacation here means just staying safe and healthy until everything gradually becomes normal. We will get through this.

I completed six internships, graduated with a B.A., and I'm still underqualified for an entry-level job. 1500 apps; zero interviews. I know I'm not entitled to anything. I'm just focusing on what I can control and just hoping for a shot.

I can't even imagine the pain and stress they're going through. I graduated in 2017 and it still took me six months to land a job post graduation...

It’s great that CNBC is sharing this, love hearing this kind of content!

Things are going to get better. We going to get through this. Just have to hope and faith. Best of luck to you guys.

2018 grad here. Honestly, just move back in with your parents and find a side hustle (writing papers, tutoring..) to cover your basic expenses

Wow, I'm so sorry for you guys. I know it sucks now but things will look up. It took me a few years after graduating to get my footing. Keep your heads up. Sometimes hard work doesn't equal automatic success but it'll come at some point.

I'm 22 living with my parents, graduated December 2019. Took a Vacation in January & started working full-time in February with my first job EVER, then in March everyone got sent home to work remotely. It's all really weird, but I'm thankful that i'm healthy and employed. I wouldn't say it's bad living with your parents before 25. It does make me feel lame, but I also know a lot of first time home buyers are in their early 30's these days. Hoping to continue learning and saving and growing my skillset while we're all stuck at home during COVID.

The recession of 2008 was hard. My husband took over 2 years to get a solid full-time job and it was stressful. Now, thank God we are both working but we are both definitely under threat of layoffs as the economy starts to get back on its feet after the quarantine, so don't know how secure we are right now. If it's any conciliation we are all in it together. If I were a new graduate I'd do my best to add more skills to my resume-take extra classes that will enhance what you already went to school for. Volunteering with a company you are interested in working for is a great way to get noticed when opportunities open up. It may take a while but it's worth doing because it gives you purpose, adds more skills to your resume and sets you up for a possible opportunity.

This virus has also cause mental illness. Sooner or later WHO has to declared depression and anxiety as pandemic as well.

Let us remember those of us in the class of 2004 HS graduates and 2008 college graduates such as myself....I don't think we ever recovered fully ...my heart goes out to these kids

To everyone in this video - I graduated in 2008 with no experience, no offers - I was really ashamed of myself. Plus, being an international student really didn't help at all. I ended up going to grad school and not a good school to be honest - I was honestly burdening myself with guilt and finances even more. I can't say that I have the answer for you guys. But, all I want to say is - look up, and breathe. This is not happening because of you and I hope that when another bad thing happens in the future (knock on wood, hoping it doesn't but..you know), you can reflect back to this time and say "hey, I got through 2020. I'm stronger and wiser now - things will get better" I wish all of you nothing but love, success and happiness - I want you guys to know that things will change.

I went through it in 2008. Graduated high school in 2007. Went to college during the recession. What I learned keep your head up, hustle and make money wherever you can, network, and be open to opportunities as they come up.

good luck to all recent grads graduating in such an unprecedented time :( stay strong well all get thru dis!!!

It’s even harder for international students, much much harder with the visa requirements pulling your leg.

Definitely hear your pain. Went through it on the last recession. Got laid off, had to work an hourly temp job that paid pennies. Was never made permanent so moved on to another company (took a while). The detriment to my salary, I still feel today. I saw how people that graduated when the economy was booming made close to what I was making with years of experience. Really screws with your psyche and holds you back so much more. To have to live through another recession now I worry how much I'll be pushed back again.

Just graduated when the 90s recession hit. Couldn't even get a job at McDonalds who were backlogged with 350 applications for 3 minimum wage jobs. No stimulus checks. 22 % youth unemployment rate with no end in sight. It was ugly.

"Millennial : First time ? Gen Z: yeah" Gen X: you guys are so screwed

Graduated one month ago. Got a job earlier this year, worked for two months and then we had to close because of the pandemic. Not from the USA, this is happening everywhere in the world, which kinda makes it scarier. Its not like you could run away to another country looking for opportunities. Its the same everywhere.

OMG to hear all these stories is so heart breaking. I graduated with my Master's this year and I am in the exact same situation. In every interview they just say that they can't afford to have people just graduated with no experience. It feels that after have had achieved so much in school and graduated, now we are just lost and don't know necessarily what to do with our future 😔

2010 graduate here. it was bad but it got better. Dont lose hope. Things will be fine. Keep doing what you got to do to survive this time.

Lauren McGoodwin is exactly right. There are good ways to go about it though if you are smart and willing to apply your degree. The only thing that has worked for me has been getting specific about what I wanted to do, but not too specific because you need to take every opportunity you can to do things related to your major, even for free. Think about these as side hustles, except instead of making money you are making career progress. Return to work for a past employer, reach out to professors to do research for free, etc. I have found that these experiences give you valuable stories to talk about when you land an interview at a company that you really want to work for. Also, interviewing skills are absolutely essential and you have no excuse not to master these. On the upside, just be glad you're not in HR and have to sort through 1000 resumes and 200 cover letters in a weekend for a Data Entry job.

Here is South Africa we have high youth unemployment rate , just imagine what this pandemic is going to do, we still had graduates who were looking for jobs before this pandemic, now just imagine a mess we are going to be in.

I graduated in 07 and it's only been within the past couple of years that I finally feel I am starting to gain traction with my career. It has taken a gargantuan amount of work to get to this point. I feel for these graduates, to have all of these big dreams and aspirations, only to have them dashed is heartbreaking.

I graduated in December 2007. Got my job lined up for me. Started working in Jan 2008. Then the recession hits. I am the lucky few who graduated just before the recession. Still working with the same company today after 12 years at Mayo Clinic Rochester, one of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. Really feel I lucked out and still holding my job without furloughed during this tough time in 2020.

Prepare yourselves, I graduated in 08 and it sucked.

The major thing for these grads IMO is that they're not only dealing with a bad job market, but it's also a changing market where things are shifting, especially how we work. I work in e-commerce on the accounts payable team and everything is stalled now to move forward with hiring. We're shorthanded because we had someone leave days before the stay at home orders were issued. We don't have the capacity to train a person remotely and it ends up where we're doing the jobs of 2-3 people each. The consensus is when we start hiring (and it will happen) we need people with the specified skill set to adapt more easily to the job and new grads generally aren't taught in areas like software for their field, etc. Also, work from home is unofficially becoming the new skill and if someone has a history of being able to work remotely, it'll likely give them an edge since the guidelines for in-office attendance are set to change to 50% or less for each employee as long as the pandemic continues...and it'll likely continue post-pandemic. I can't tell you how many new grads I met last year when hiring an admin with finance/accounting degrees and they have no idea how to work with QuickBooks. I ended up hiring someone with no accounting experience but had data entry knowledge and it aided them in learning faster the software faster. It should really make colleges look at requirements for curriculums and what they're actually teaching and should be tailored to actual business administration. Graduates lacking the necessary skills is nothing new, it's just more of a sore spot now that we're in this extreme situation.

I've been there. Finished grad school, got an offer which was rescinded. Moved back home and took on some unpaid intern positions. After about two years, I landed a full-time position in my field. Keep pushing, it will get better.

It is a hard time and you all will be stronger through this. Best wishes.

I graduated in May 2009 and couldn’t, even 5 years after that, find a job related to my degree. What ended up doing was finding a job, any job, so that I could put money in my pocket and start paying my student loans back. I wasn’t happy for a couple of years and realized that finding a job in my degree just wasn’t going to happen as the years went by so I made peace with the job I did have. It was rough and a lot of work but I eventually clawed my way up to what I feel is a good salary. If anything that experience made me take a real hard look at myself and what I really wanted for my life. All the material and superficial desires went out the door and instead I realized that it’s only a matter of time before another recession comes so I planned and saved and now in 2020 I’m so happy that I did all of that because I don’t feel the anxiety I did back then.

My first job I applied to 500+ places to get what I wanted. (Granted I had (literally) 1 offer I turned down). My second job, I applied to one. I got it, I still have it and it will almost certainly last through this recession. The difference is that I had my foot in the door vs being some nobody. I feel for everyone that's graduating right now. My advice is be willing to take anything as long as it can connect you to the right people.

I know exactly how this feels. I graduated with a BA in 2007 with no job prospects but eventually found a career that I absolutely love. My advice is to be flexible. If you get a job that isn't your dream job, do it to the best of your abilities and try to develop the skills you need for your dream job. Consider volunteering to expand your skill set and never give up. It'll get better. It did for me.

Losing your job is very hard, I lost my job 1 year after graduating. Although it was very hard for a time. I was able to grow as a person and in my career. Prayers to everyone affected! Dig deep and dont give up!

It has almost always been like this in Italy, people in other countries like US are just not used to be unemployed. The problem is the cost of life, when you have rent and bills to pay in US you are on the streets within few months without savings

It is extremely difficult to be in this position but it is also such a valid excuse to reflect, maximize learning, seek external knowledge and leverage our personal network. This too shall pass. Some of our goals may have been delayed but they have in no ways been eliminated.

Just graduated with a Bach of Architecture, and my intern job that was supposed to take me full time told me ill be part timing for the time being. This is definitely better than nothing, but in my head I was so confident that this pandemic won't affect me and that I'm set, and this was a chilling wake up call. I'll definitely be using this free time when I'm not working to focus on me and my interests, something I havent been able to do in 5 years..

This is so heartbreaking. I feel so sad for all these graduates

There was also a study that showed that your first job is often what sets you up for better opportunists. Like in the recession many took offers way below what they would have or worked jobs not related in their field. Same thing is going to happen now, by no fault of the graduates. But they will earn less in their lifetime typically .

"If it's not under your control, don't stress it"

It sucks. I feel for people in 2020 who are graduating. God be with you.

I was in the same boat. Graduated December 2019, got a job in March and was supposed to start April 6 until I got a call stating my offer was rescinded due to Covid. I thank God that I have landed a new and better job and start Monday. I feel for everyone right now. I grew up poor and had to take out student loans to get by and I felt that all my hard work was for nothing, a very dark place to be in mentally. I pray that every one going through this gets the job they never knew they wanted. The government has done very little to help us college students. Class of 2019,2020, and 2021 will be fighting for jobs😢

I decided to graduate a semester early last December and that might just have been the best decision in my life.

I am a graduating senior and I was very lucky to keep my offer. It breaks my heart to see people like Nathalia Kasman who if they don't find a job would even have to move back.

Man, this is absolutely heartbreaking. I was lucky to graduate in 2005, so I had several years of experience before the economy crashed. I can't imagine graduating now.

Graduated in spring and happened to me too, and I was looking for jobs in IT with a year of experience already. I found another job after more searching, but I never, ever want to go through the stress of frantically job hunting DURING FINALS WEEK ever again. Most of my friends weren't so lucky, and sometimes I actually feel bad that I'm the only one who made it out OK.

Get an entry level job outside your "career path". It tells your future hiring manager that you are flexible, adaptable, and someone who doesn't mind getting their hands dirty. Plus you get to earn money, pay your student loans, and get your mind off worrying on what the future holds. This too shall pass!

entered the job market in 2009 during housing market crash. it sucked so hard, i thought *that* was painful, cannot imagine entering a job market during a pandemic.

This happened to me in March... I'm lucky that I was able to get to re-recruit and get another job, but it was such a pain and I feel for them and other '20 graduates. It was also difficult because companies that *were* still hiring had already filled their new grad positions, so the options were more limited.

I graduated this year with my degree in accounting. I keep getting interviews, and then it's just rejections. It's starting to wear, and I'm beginning to lose motivation. I hope something will come up soon, but I'm not sure what to realistically expect. The average time from graduation to finding a job was 3 to 6 months WITHOUT a pandemic, and I'm only on month 2. I wish all fellow 2020 graduates the absolute best of luck and may we stay strong in these times!

Wow, it's so saddening to see these graduates with lost hope in their eyes. This will definitely pass and things will get better.See it as an opportunity for you to figure out what you truly want to do with your life. From experience these entry level grad roles aren't always what they're built up to be. Be open minded, flexible and persistent in whatever you want to do!

Broke my heart watching those tears from Nathalia. Listen don't be sad, some industries are not impacted like others. Maybe it's time to transition on something else, learn new skills to be more competitive on the market. We will get back to it soon. #KeepPushing

Please cover trade school graduates. Students need to hear their circumstances.

Graduated into the last recession. Took two years to find an entry-level position that wasn't asking for 3+ years of experience because everyone only wanted to hire each other's layoffs. The one upside I can look up to now is that because I got lucky _once_ I have experience to apply to stuff now -- these guys graduating this year have nothing but a pile of debt and basically no prospects, and it's through absolutely no fault of their own.

My heart goes out for all of these grads. I'm lucky I have my internship

I am graduating this year with a BS in Civil Engineering and I am extremely lucky that I got a full time position offered to me at the place I interned. This video definitely makes me humble and grateful and motivates me to work hard. I personally know a lot of people who got laid off or offers been taken away from them and I feel horrible. I hope companies strat hiring again soon. Best wishes to all the people who graduated this year.

I love what she says about not being a generalist but rather building a specific skillet.

I graduated in 08, and a lot of my peers had to be creative and open to doing something different. A lot of them are successful but it forced us to not take a “traditional” route. 10 years from now I know this graduating class will be some of the most amazing world changers, innovators and leaders within their fields because they are setting the tone. Wishing them the best!!!💕

I graduated high school in 2008, college was viewed as a necessity so I continued with that route. Even then, I worked minimum wage jobs up until I was 25, in 2015. Now, I'll be finishing my (fully funded) Ph.D. in 2022, now I wonder if I will be going through it all over again.

“Are gonna face the worst job market since the Depression” ah.........................well, i Thought i’d gotten over feeling sad about post-grad life right now 😞

I’m sacred. I’m graduating with my masters in biology next year & im 25. I pictured myself getting married, building a family, and buying a home at 30. That’s 5 years from now. How am I supposed to be financially stable enough to accomplish those goals in less than 5 years with this type of economy? I’m afraid I won’t find a good job after I graduate. All my hard work....

Graduated on 2011 and oh man it just sucked but in the end it all works out and just needs to hang in there