College Today, Career Tomorrow? It’s More Complicated Than You Think

Coming Up TOMORROW (June 12th) at 7 pm EST…

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Good Grades, Great Effort… Now What?

A college degree used to be a golden ticket — now, it’s no guarantee.

Recent college graduates (ages 22–27) are facing an unemployment rate of nearly 6%, significantly higher than the national average of ~4%. And they account for 12% of the total increase in U.S. unemployment since mid-2023. (Source.)

Even “high-opportunity” sectors like tech, finance, and scientific services have seen sharp drops in entry-level hiring, largely due to automation, AI adoption, and mass layoffs.

Experts say the pipeline is broken:

Colleges are churning out graduates faster than industries can absorb them, and many roles that once launched careers are now being replaced by software.

As parents, it’s time to shift the goalposts.

Resilience, creativity, people skills, and curiosity?

Those are still in demand.

And they can’t be automated.

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Rethinking First Jobs

When Maya landed her first job folding clothes at the mall, she wasn’t chasing a résumé booster — she just wanted gas money and a discount on jeans.

But what she got was something more.

She learned how to speak up to a manager, manage time between work and school, and navigate customer moments with patience and empathy.

Experts say these first jobs — retail, food service, babysitting, dog-walking, even volunteering — are more than rites of passage.

They’re crucial training grounds for life and work.

In fact, early work experience is one of the strongest predictors of long-term career success, according to research by the U.S. Department of Labor. It develops “soft skills” such as responsibility, problem-solving, collaboration, and grit — qualities that employers consistently rank above GPA or college major.

And these roles offer something many teens crave but rarely voice: a sense of purpose and independence.

Here’s how you can support early work experiences:
• Start small: Encourage neighborhood jobs, like yard work, tutoring, or pet sitting.
• Talk about the wins: Celebrate growth moments like resolving a conflict or saving a paycheck.
• Frame it for the future: Help your teen connect the dots between their part-time job and the skills they'll bring to future roles — even ones that don’t exist yet.

Because no matter where your child ends up, knowing how to show up, stay accountable, and connect with people…that’s the kind of experience AI can’t replace.

Raise a Resilient Career Explorer

When your child enters the working world, don’t expect a straight path — think winding roads, detours, and unexpected scenic routes.

Today’s early career years are less like climbing a ladder and more like professional speed-dating: exploring different roles, testing environments, and figuring out where they thrive (and where they don’t).

And that’s not failure — it’s growth.

In fact, the average person will likely hold 12+ jobs by age 50, and the World Economic Forum predicts that half of all employees will need reskilling by 2025.

That means adaptability isn’t just nice — it’s essential.

Your role as a parent?

The steady hand. The pep talk. The pivot guide.

• Redefine “success”: It’s not about landing the perfect job — it’s about building the skills and self-awareness to evolve with the world.
• Normalize change: Remind them that changing jobs (or majors!) doesn’t mean they’re lost — it means they’re learning what matters.
• De-stigmatize rejection: Every “no” helps sharpen their story and uncover better fits. Rejection isn’t the end — it’s a re-route.
• Celebrate process over outcomes: Send a “proud of you” text when they finish a tough interview or update their LinkedIn. Confidence grows with every small win.

In a world where careers are made (and remade), resilience isn’t a backup plan — it’s the main plan.

To dive deeper into why the old education model no longer fits today’s world — and what future-ready skills really matter — check out this quick Instagram Reel from Raj Valli (Founder & CEO of Thinkster). He breaks down how our kids need to move beyond memorization and build skills no AI can replace.

therajvalli

1,021 followers

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JOIN THE CLUB

Last week, we asked: What do you care most about when final grades come home?

Here’s how you voted:

💪 The effort they put in, regardless of outcome – 75% (9 votes)
🤩 Their attitude about learning – 17% (2 votes)
💯 The actual grades — performance matters – 8% (1 vote)

Parents agree: effort is everything.

Grades are just one part of the story — how our kids show up, push through, and stay curious matters even more.

We’re asking parents like you to share their thoughts on topics that matter each week! Cast your vote and see what others think! We’ll chat more about the results next week. 👀

CareerOneStop — A U.S. Dept. of Labor site with career exploration tools and job market data to help parents guide their teens.

BigFuture by College Board — Helps students explore college and career options, including majors, scholarships, and financial aid.

Big Life Journal — Tools and activities that help kids build a growth mindset and resilience — perfect for bouncing back from setbacks.

As the job market shifts, building adaptable skills and confidence starts now. Thinkster’s personalized math tutoring blends smart AI and expert coaching to keep kids engaged without overwhelm.

Flexible plans, guaranteed progress, and support that fits your family’s summer rhythm — all designed to prepare your child for whatever comes next.

Ready to boost learning and confidence this summer?

Until Next Week…

Navigating today’s shifting job market can feel overwhelming for both parents and kids.

But by focusing on building real-world skills, resilience, and confidence, we’re helping our children prepare not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of growth and possibility.

Thanks for joining us in raising kind, capable, and confident humans. We’re so glad you’re here.

❤️ Loved this issue? Have thoughts, questions, or topic ideas?

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