Recent graduates of the City University of New York (CUNY) are encountering one of the most challenging job markets in years, raising concerns about the future of economic mobility in the city. Despite CUNY’s reputation as a vital engine of upward social movement—particularly for students from low-income families—rising unemployment rates and shifting industry demands are complicating the transition from college to career for many new graduates.

Damir Shavkatov, a 22-year-old Brooklyn College graduate and first-generation college student, exemplifies the uncertainty facing many CUNY alumni. Despite a strong résumé that includes multiple internships at a state senator’s office and a Fortune 500 firm, Shavkatov remains apprehensive about his prospects amid a broader labor market that economists say is extremely competitive for early-career professionals. "The job market is really bad," he said, reflecting a sentiment found throughout the CUNY community.

Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has highlighted some unexpected trends, including unemployment rates for computer science and computer engineering graduates outpacing those of art history majors—fields traditionally perceived as less directly linked to stable employment. LinkedIn data reinforces this, showing a steady decline in hiring for young professionals in New York City through early 2026, alongside a doubling in the number of applicants for U.S. job postings compared with four years ago.

Experts warn that the slowdown poses a significant threat to the promise of mobility that institutions like CUNY have long provided. “That promise is under threat right now,” said Eli Dvorkin, editorial and policy director at a public policy nonprofit, emphasizing the need for increased investments in paid internships and access to living-wage jobs.

University leaders are responding by intensifying efforts to improve post-graduation employment rates. Some focus on broadening definitions of career success, encouraging students to consider skilled trades such as welding or electrical work alongside traditional professional roles. Donovan J. Richards, Queens borough president, urged graduates to remain adaptable amid uncertainty, sharing that his own career took unexpected turns before settling into public service.

At the same time, critics note that many employers remain hesitant to invest in public university students. Gregory J. Morris, chief executive of a local employment coalition, pointed out persistent biases that may limit opportunities for CUNY graduates. However, some private firms have started seeing CUNY as a valuable talent pool, with one investment firm co-founder describing the students’ grit and potential as "smart business," rather than mere philanthropy.

Within CUNY campuses, the landscape is changing as well. Programs at Hunter College report that while some fields such as nursing and education continue to provide clearer career paths, other graduates—particularly in arts and sciences—are diversifying into roles like user research and marketing. In the face of industry shifts and the rise of artificial intelligence, many students are embracing entrepreneurship and side gigs as a way to forge their own paths, a trend unseen in previous generations.

For graduates like Matthew LaBarca, a computer science major at Hunter College, the journey is marked by a mix of anxiety and hope. After securing an internship and subsequent job offer through a university-industry event, he remains candid about the unpredictability of his career trajectory. “It makes me a little anxious,” LaBarca said, “but it also makes me excited to see where my life will go.”

As New York grapples with widening inequalities and an evolving economy, the future of CUNY’s role as a ladder to the middle class remains a critical question for students, educators, and policymakers alike.