July 2024 graduate who’s fed up & tired

[u/Intelligent-Rest8405]

Soo it feels like I’m going through a mid-life crisis at 21. Which is insane.

I graduated last summer from a UK university with a 2.1 (which is sort of similar to a 3.6 GPA in US i think). I have applied to just over 100 jobs since then, and still haven’t been able to get one. It’s honestly so draining.

I’ll admit, at the start I had no idea what to specifically apply to, I just go on good engineering companies website, check their careers list and apply to an open role I think sounds ok. I still feel lost in the job application process, like it feels like I’m doing something wrong.

Graduate jobs/ 2025 graduate schemes opened up in August 2024 so that was my main focus. Finding available ones to apply to, not just entry level listed roles. For graduate schemes/jobs they have a process [different stages] like 1. application, 2. psychometric assessments, 3. video interviews & tests, 4. assessment centre days. So for a few of the companies (PwC, Unilever, GSK, etc) I actually got all the way up to stage 3 but didn’t progress to stage 4.

I can’t believe I’m still unemployed & it’s so frustrating. It’s not so much about the pressure I put on myself anymore, cos I sort of understand it’s difficult nowadays to get a job & I’m tired of stressing tbh. But it’s my PARENTS and other external pressure tbh and the thought of being at home ‘doing nothing’ for much longer. It’s so draining and exhausting.

Now I’m practically being pushed to look for masters courses to apply to for August/September entry, UK or US. That was NOT my plan or my idea, I feel like i suffered enough in undergrad so idkk if I can handle a masters degree- plus idk what I’d do it in.

Honestly idk where to go from here. I need a job asap so that I don’t have to jump into masters as an assurance. I’m literally open to working in UK, US, anywhere idk. Idk where else to apply, or what specific roles to apply to, if I should apply for a masters just incase, idk. Advice?

[u/Moist-Hovercraft44]

Job apps are a numbers game. When I was job hunting I would be applying for like 50 jobs a week, you got rookie numbers tbh.

Also, open up your job pool a bit. Sucks to say but with no experience you aren't desirable to hire so you will maybe need to take undesirable positions to start. Consider jobs outside your start or city or even when you might want to be doing.

I relocated and was working a job I hated for a year but it gave me the experience to score a better job in my home city (am writing this from there now actually). Unfortunate to say but getting your degree is just the start.

Will say though working in industry is about 1000% easier than school so that if you can graduate you can absolutely do the work.