Konner Hines
For many college students, the hardest part of higher education isn’t found inside the classroom. It’s what comes after.
While students continue balancing coursework, extracurricular activities and part-time jobs, many are simultaneously trying to navigate another challenge: Learning how to enter a professional world whose unwritten rules they were never taught.
Internships and entry-level jobs have become increasingly competitive, and for first-generation students, students from underserved communities or those who lack professional connections, the process can feel overwhelming.
But perhaps the biggest challenge isn’t a lack of ambition.It’s a lack of a blueprint.
Annel Hodges, a student from Cleveland, describes herself as a first-generation student who has had to learn about much of the professional world with the help of faculty and advisers at Baldwin Wallace University.
“Growing up, I knew nothing about internships, networking, or corporate careers before coming to college,” Hodges said. “Because of this, I felt behind compared to students whose parents understood how college and professional careers worked.”
Like many students, Hodges quickly realized that experience requirements often create a paradox. Employers ask for one or two years of experience for positions that are supposed to help students gain that experience in the first place.
“The job and internship market has changed over time and developed increasingly unrealistic expectations,” Hodges said.
After being rejected for several positions, she remained persistent. Eventually, an opportunity came through a connection she had built.
“The rejections gave me motivation, but after a while it became tiresome,” she said. “However, I later found out I had an internship lined up through a connection, so it worked out in the end.”
Jordan Moore-Stone, a recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace University’s music industry program, entered college with educational support and resources and also found himself learning the professional world largely through experience.
“I really knew nothing about what it meant to climb the ladder and set yourself up for success,” Moore-Stone said.
Throughout college, Moore-Stone completed six internships, participated in mentorship programs, worked at concert venues and maintained a 4.0 GPA during his final semester. Even with those accomplishments, the transition from college to the workforce proved difficult.
His experience reflects a reality many young adults face today. Rejection is often interpreted as personal failure when, in reality, the market itself has become increasingly difficult to navigate.
“I think there is somewhat of a disconnect between younger generations and the people who have been in the corporate work environment for decades,” Moore-Stone said. “A lot of us do want to work.”
Despite their different backgrounds, both Hodges and Moore-Stone pointed to many of the same resources that helped them move forward. Professors, advisers, networking events, LinkedIn and mentorship all played significant roles in helping them build connections and find opportunities.
Both said guidance and access to professional networks mattered more than a single job lead.
Hodges believes stronger alumni programs and mentorship opportunities can make a significant difference for students entering the workforce.
“It is important for students to have somewhere to turn if things are not going as planned,” she said.
Professionals can play an important role in helping college students understand potential career paths. Students are not always seeking immediate employment; many are looking for insight into how established professionals entered their fields, the challenges they encountered and the lessons they learned along the way.
Career guidance can take several forms, including informational interviews, responses to professional networking messages and referrals to useful resources or opportunities. Although these interactions may require only a small investment of time, they can help students make informed decisions and build connections as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Likewise, for students preparing to enter college or the workforce, the responsibility does not end with submitting applications. Hodges encourages students to become comfortable being uncomfortable and to take risks, even if the opportunity is not exactly what they envisioned.
“My current internship is not directly in my field, but I can gain many valuable connections for the future,” she said.
Moore-Stone believes students should pay attention to the skills they already possess and learn how to apply them to their passions.
“You have to know your personal branding and your ‘why,’” he said. “If you don’t stand out in a crowd, you’re just going to fade.”
For incoming students, it can also be valuable to reach out to current students. Ask questions. Learn about programs. Understand campus culture. Message people on LinkedIn or Instagram. Most people are more willing to help than you might think.
These are key opportunities to network, give back and share experiences.
Communities become stronger when residents invest in one another and help develop each other’s strengths.
Konner Hines is an honor student at Baldwin Wallace University. He creates engaging content exploring global issues, pop culture, leadership, and community impact.
