Gen Z has already shown adaptability, jumping over employment hurdle after hurdle, and their future is still uncertain.
As the Class of 2025 prepares to enter the world of work, the latest jobs report offers some insight to what’s going on in the market.
On the bright side, March brought 228,000 new jobs, surpassing February’s slower 151,000-job growth. Wage growth held steady at 0.3% month-over-month, and sectors like healthcare and retail saw a hiring boost. The unemployment rate changed just a tad — creeping up slightly from 4.1% to 4.2%, a reminder of underlying challenges in the labor market.
As graduation approaches and the job hunt begins, professors are sharing their best advice to help students navigate the twists and turns of today’s ever-changing economy.
First up is Meir Statman, Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. He’s renowned for his work in behavioral finance, which bridges psychology and financial decision-making. His message to students? “Sit tight,” he says.
Leavey School of Business Professor Meir Statman. Courtesy photo
Statman urges graduates to resist the temptation to hyperfixate on fluctuating job market trends. “Sometimes fear sets in – and people tend to extrapolate trends,” he explains. Instead of feeding into fear, he advises students to look inward and invest in understanding their unique skills and passions. “Look for what you think is easy work – work that comes naturally to you that others compliment you on,” he suggests.
Statman offers an analogy, comparing navigating the job market to a tennis match. “Investing is like playing tennis against a practice wall,” he says. “You can position yourself to bounce the ball back. But the job market is more like tennis against a random opponent; you might face an easy to beat opponent, or you might face Djokovic. Luck plays a role.”
Rather than obsess over whether this moment in the labor market is Djokovic-level tough, Statman says students should give energy to the importance of networking and finding the right industry fit. “The job market might be good or bad, but what matters most for getting a job is your ability to network. Focus on the things that improve your chances, regardless of market conditions,” he offers.
In his new book, A Wealth of Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance, Statman discusses the broader concept of life well-being, urging people to move beyond financial goals alone. “You need financial well-being for life well-being, but it is life well-being that we seek,” he says.
He encourages students to consider risks outside the stock market – like social risks, or taking a chance on a career path or vocation they’re passionate about, even in uncertain times.
Reflecting on his own journey, Statman recalls taking the risk to leave Israel for the U.S. to pursue his Ph.D., a decision that reshaped his life and career despite its uncertainty.
“When job prospects aren’t great, take the time to figure out what career is truly right for you. The most rewarding risk isn’t financial — it’s choosing the path that aligns with your purpose and strengths.”
Over at Georgetown McDonough, Christine Murray, associate dean of Career Services, is all about empowering students to navigate today’s unpredictable job market. With responsibilities of corporate development for MBA, graduate, and undergraduate programs, her advice for the Class of 2025 is to lean into resilience, adaptability, and confidence to thrive — not just now, but throughout their careers.
“The class of 2025 is entering a career landscape that has been up and down, but there’s hope,” Murray says.
Georgetown McDonough Associate Dean of Career Services Christine Murray
She is optimistic for her students. She says they’re well-equipped with a global perspective, a Jesuit ethos, and teamwork skills that make them highly valued by employers.
She has firsthand seen positive outlooks in the job market. For one, she’s noticed a growing demand in consulting, and she also notes that healthcare is an industry that’s continually growing. McDonough even has a new MBA certificate program designed to support graduated heading to their roles in this space.
For Murray, success in a crowded job market starts with networking — though she acknowledges it can be intimidating.
“Networking doesn’t have to mean walking into a huge room full of people and trying to be interesting. It’s just a curious conversation,” she explains. “It’s 100% a must, especially in a competitive market.”
It is also very important to gain relevant, forward-thinking skills, like experience with AI. Companies are actively seeking graduates who can integrate generative AI into projects and processes. “Generative AI won’t replace people, but people who don’t use it might get left behind,” she says/ Beyond technical skills, Murray says the other most important thing students should do to increase their hireability is harness the power of their storytelling — specifically for their own stories: “Being able to tell people what you stand for, what impact you want to have — it’s a simple but powerful way to future-proof your career.”
As for job market fears, Murray advises students not to let negative news cloud their outlook.
“People see layoffs at big companies and think, ‘there’s no room for me,’ but that’s the wrong approach,” she says. Instead, she encourages them to view their careers as a marathon, not a sprint. “This is just one moment in time. You’re setting up a foundation for long-term success. Don’t let short-term trends deter you.”
For the Class of 2025, the road ahead might be uncertain, but with the right mindset and skills, it’s full of opportunity.
