Key insights
- A recent survey indicates US graduates are optimistic about job prospects in healthcare, finance, and STEM, despite broader economic uncertainty and AI disruption. These sectors are projected for significant growth, contrasting with lower confidence in manufacturing and construction. While recent graduate unemployment is elevated, focusing on growing industries could improve landing rates. This suggests potential labor demand shifts that could influence sector performance and overall economic sentiment.
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The class of 2026 enters the labor market amid uncertainty about the economy and potential labor disruptions from AI. But American students and graduates are still optimistic about their career prospects in healthcare, finance, and STEM, a new survey finds.
The CFA Institute's global survey polled students and recent graduates across markets, including 1,250 Americans ages 18 to 25. College students and graduates in the U.S. reported the lowest levels of confidence about careers in manufacturing and utilities, travel and transport, and architecture and construction, according to the survey. In contrast, about one in five grads said they felt confident about jobs in healthcare, finance, STEM, and education.
Those surveyed may be onto something. Health services and private education was among the few sectors in the U.S. that gained jobs over the past year.1
Both healthcare and finance are projected to grow in the coming decade as well. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, between 2024 and 2034, healthcare and finance occupations are projected to have an average of 1.9 million and 942,500 openings per year, respectively.23
If you're a recent graduate who's had a tough time finding a job, you're not alone. Career advisors suggest looking for jobs in industries that are growing right now—for example, if you're a software engineer, don't just look for jobs in tech. Consider similar gigs in other sectors.
For new grads, the labor market may be especially challenging. Pursuing a career in an industry that's growing might improve their odds of landing a job.
In March 2026, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 was 5.6%, higher than the 4.2% unemployment rate for all workers.4 Prior to the pandemic, college grads generally had lower unemployment rates than the general working population, Federal Reserve data indicates.
Economists disagree about the cause. Some argue that AI is reducing demand for entry-level workers. Others posit that the market has become more competitive as a greater portion of the population earns bachelor's degrees. In 2026, more than two in five workers have a bachelor's degree, compared with just 18% in 1980, according to data analyzed by the Economic Policy Institute.5
"As you send more people to college, you are going to bring down the average return of college," said Martha Gimbel, executive director and cofounder of the Yale Budget Lab, in a December interview with Investopedia.
A Federal Reserve Bank of New York analysis released Monday attributes about two-thirds of the rise in unemployment among young college graduates since the pandemic to the spread of remote work, which the analysis suggests has made employers more reluctant to hire and train inexperienced staff.6 The study also notes that the drop in hiring began before AI tools like ChatGPT arrived, and that AI exposure had little measurable effect on unemployment among younger workers thus far.
While the job market may be lackluster for recent grads, college students and recent grads are still feeling hopeful about their prospective careers. More than four in five (85%) reported feeling confident that they have the skills to be successful in their career path.
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