How an “A” Student Copes with Graduation into the COVID-19 Economy
Many students feel anxious about finding a job after graduation, especially during a pandemic. Katie Huber, a senior business student at SLU Madrid, is one of them.
“I’m not feeling 100% confident in all honesty,” Huber said. “I genuinely think if COVID hadn’t happened I’d have a better chance.”
Huber spent her undergraduate career as an international business student in Madrid, Spain. In her first year in the country, Huber met her boyfriend—a Spanish national. Huber and her partner eventually moved in together hoping to start a life together in Spain.
Huber worked diligently to make sure she got a job once she graduated in the fall of 2020. She attended conferences put on by the school to network, took an internship at a start-up, and worked hard to get good grades. But with many graduates competing for few jobs, it has become ever more difficult to get noticed. “I feel like the hardest part is differentiating myself,” Huber said in an interview. “I come off as a good candidate, but I really know that I need to be more than that.”
Some graduates have taken the time to pursue a master’s degree online during the COVID lockdowns. Others have filled their time trying to pick up new skills to add to their resume. Online certification programs have seen increased enrollment, as have enrollments in online courses. Recent grads, while stuck in a state of employment limbo, have caught on to the fact that they can’t afford to be comfortable.
Despite her proactive attitude toward finding work, she still feels wary about her chances. “Honestly, it’s mostly luck. The chances of finding a job close to home and in the field you want to work in is rare,” said Huber.
Many students find themselves in a similar situation. And as the class of 2021 graduates in May, the already competitive entry-level job market will become even more so.
Katie Huber celebrating her 22nd birthday during her final semester at SLU Madrid. (Photo courtesy of Katie Huber)