The Job Market Outlook for New Graduates in 2025

In this conversation, Wharton School Professor Matthew Bidwell discusses the current challenges facing recent college graduates entering the workforce. While the broader labor market remains relatively strong, Bidwell notes that unemployment among college graduates has been trending upward for several years, reaching its highest level since 2015.

He explores the reasons behind a stagnating job market—highlighting employer caution, reduced hiring and quitting rates, and overall economic uncertainty. Bidwell also addresses the long-term career implications of accepting lower-quality jobs during economic downturns, the value of early career mobility, and the tradeoffs of remote work for new graduates.

Recorded during the 2024 graduation season, the discussion provides timely insight into employment trends and strategic advice for navigating early career decisions in a cautious hiring environment.

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