Young Men Struggle in a Slowing Job Market Despite College Degrees

The Struggle of Young Men in a Changing Job Market

Emanuel Barcenas, a 25-year-old with a computer science degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, finds himself in a difficult position. He dreamed of living independently, saving for the future, and being able to take someone out for dinner. However, two years after graduation, he is still unemployed and living with his parents in the Chicago suburbs. Despite applying to over 900 jobs, ranging from secretarial positions to roles at prisons, he has only received a few interviews.

“I want to be an adult,” he said. “I need to lock in, I need to move forward, but right now, I’m just stunted. I’m trying my best, but I guess my best isn’t good enough.”

Barcenas is not alone in his struggle. Economists and recent labor market data suggest that young men are facing a job market that is becoming increasingly challenging for them. The unemployment rate for men aged 23 to 30 with bachelor’s degrees has risen to 6%, compared to 3.5% for young women with similar education levels. This marks a recent reversal after decades when young men with higher education had an advantage in the labor market.

The shift in employment prospects for men compared to women is partly due to changes in the labor market. Much of the job growth has been driven by hiring in health care and social services, where nearly 80% of workers are female. Meanwhile, traditionally male-dominated fields such as manufacturing, transportation, and mining have seen job losses or stagnation. This trend has created significant challenges for young men seeking stable employment.

Tech, a field historically dominated by men, has also been hit hard by layoffs. Over 132,000 tech industry workers were laid off in 2025, on top of 238,000 in 2024. Computer science-related majors have been among the most popular for men, leading to a surplus of graduates competing for fewer opportunities.

Barcenas briefly found work as an engineer at Stellantis but was laid off after four months. Since then, his only income has come from driving for Uber and doing video editing projects. He feels uncertain about his future and worries about whether he will ever achieve stability.

Across the economy, hiring has slowed, making it harder for younger workers to find their first jobs. In July, the economy added just 73,000 jobs, below previous forecasts. Manufacturing, a traditionally male-dominated industry, lost 11,000 jobs last month. These trends have left many young men feeling frustrated and demoralized.

Eli McCullick, a 23-year-old sociology graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder, has been searching for work for over a year. He has struggled to find even entry-level jobs and has resorted to doing odd jobs for friends and family. After a year of looking, he decided to pursue law school and secured an internship through personal connections.

McCullick’s experience has influenced his political views. He voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, hoping for economic improvement. However, he now regrets his decision, fearing that Trump’s policies could worsen the job market.

Results from a recent poll showed that 45% of young men approved of Trump’s job performance, while only 24% of young women did. While the White House claims that Trump’s policies have led to economic growth, many young men feel that these benefits are not reaching them.

For decades, women have outpaced men in higher education and workforce participation. As of last year, nearly half of women aged 25 to 34 held bachelor’s degrees, compared to just over a third of men. Young men are also more likely to rely on their parents financially than young women.

Richard Reeves, founder of the American Institute for Boys and Men, notes that the current job market is particularly tough for young men. He suggests that more programs are needed to encourage men to enter growing fields like health care and to break down gender stereotypes around certain careers.

Sean Breen, a recent communications graduate, shared similar concerns. He and many of his peers are unemployed and struggling to find work. He plans to attend graduate school in Ireland, hoping for better opportunities.

Barcenas, despite his uncertainty, remains open to exploring other fields but prefers to use his computer science education. He fears that changing careers may lead to the same challenges. For now, he is unsure what the future holds.

“It does mess with me. I get very anxious,” he said. “Is this how it’s going to be when I’m 26, when I’m 27, when I’m 28?”