Entry-Level Hiring Improves as College Grads Seek Experience and Visibility

51 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Apr 21

Entry-level hiring for college graduates is rebounding, with employers planning a 5.6% increase in new graduate hires this spring.
Work experience during college significantly boosts job prospects, and visibility through public projects is increasingly valued by employers.
Despite recent improvements, competition remains high, and many students consider graduate school as a hedge against a still-challenging job market.

Why are 43% of recent graduates underemployed when companies say they are hiring more?

If resumes are dead, what specific online projects will actually get you hired in 2026?

With AI automating entry-level tasks, is a college degree becoming obsolete for a good first job?

Does the pressure for online visibility create a new digital divide for talented but private graduates?

As AI eliminates junior roles, are skilled trades now a smarter path than a four-year degree?

Are universities failing students by not teaching them how to build a discoverable online brand?