The Employability of Fresh Graduates: A Growing Concern for Students and Employers

There’s something special about the day you finish university. You feel proud. Relieved. Maybe even a little emotional. After years of exams, assignments, deadlines, and late-night study sessions, you finally hold your degree in your hands.

And then, almost immediately, a new question appears: Now what?

That question can feel heavier than any exam you ever took.

For many fresh graduates, entering the workforce is not just about earning money. It’s about identity. It’s about proving something—to family, to society, and often to yourself. University gives you structure. The real world does not. Suddenly, there’s no clear roadmap, no semester plan, and no guaranteed result for your effort. Just applications, interviews, rejections, and waiting.

Some graduates have always known what they want to do. Others realize, quietly, that they’re not even sure if they chose the right field. This stage of life can feel confusing. You’re no longer a student, but you don’t fully feel like a professional either. You’re somewhere in between—trying to find your place.

Then comes the reality of salary.

Many fresh graduates imagine that once they get a job, independence will follow quickly. But the first offer letter can be sobering. Entry-level salaries often don’t match expectations. In cities especially, rent, food, transport, and daily expenses add up fast. Saving money feels impossible. For some, even covering basic costs becomes stressful.

At the same time, job descriptions often ask for experience—even for “entry-level” roles. It can feel unfair. How do you gain experience if no one gives you a chance? This gap between education and employability creates frustration. You start questioning whether your degree is enough, whether you should have done more internships, more courses, or more networking.

In Bangladesh, while people talk about AI and automation changing the future of work, the immediate concern for most fresh graduates is simpler: finding stable employment with a reasonable salary. The competition is intense. Opportunities feel limited. And every rejection email chips away a little at your confidence.

There’s also a common assumption that fresh graduates are supported financially by their families. But that’s not everyone’s story. Some young professionals move to cities alone. Some send money back home. Some carry responsibilities much bigger than their age suggests. For them, accepting a low-paying job isn’t just disappointing—it’s emotionally draining.

Because of financial pressure, many graduates take jobs outside their field. An engineering graduate may end up in sales. A business graduate may work in operations or customer service. Sometimes survival becomes more important than passion. And while there’s nothing wrong with adapting, it can create an inner conflict—Is this really what I studied for?

Some take on multiple roles at once—internships during the day, freelance work at night, and part-time jobs on weekends. It helps financially, but slowly exhaustion builds. Burnout becomes common before careers have even properly begun.

Then there’s comparison.

Friends posting offer letters. Salary packages are being discussed openly. Promotions are happening within months. Social media highlights the success stories, not the struggles. It becomes easy to feel left behind, even when you’re doing your best.

But what we often forget is this: careers are not a race.

Some people move fast. Others move steadily. Some take detours that later become their greatest strength. The first job is rarely perfect. The first year is rarely easy. And the beginning of a career is often messy and uncertain.

Employability is not just about academic results. It’s about resilience. Communication. The ability to learn, unlearn, and adapt. It’s about showing up even after rejection. It’s about staying consistent when progress feels slow.

Feeling lost at the beginning does not mean you will stay lost.

Every professional you admire once stood exactly where you are—confused, uncertain, and figuring things out one step at a time.

So if you’re a fresh graduate trying to find your footing, know this: it’s okay to move slowly. It’s okay to change direction. It’s okay to struggle before you stabilize.

This phase is not a failure. It’s a foundation.

And even if the first step feels small or shaky, it is still a step forward.