By Ashlen Jones

After four years of classes, internships and late nights studying, some recent graduates are finding that a college degree alone does not guarantee a foot in the door.

Several graduates described months of submitting applications, little communication from employers, and entry-level job postings that still asked for years of experience. Others found jobs through structured career programs, student teaching placements or personal networks.

Conner Peek, a 2025 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in supply chain management, expected to find opportunities in his field and short-term success in finding employment.

Instead, his job search lasted from August 2025 until May 2026.

“In reality, there were very few jobs available to me despite being told how desperately my field needed workers throughout all of college,” Peek said.

Peek searched across Middle Tennessee, including Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood and several surrounding cities. Even with a wide search, he said he did not feel there were enough genuine entry-level roles in this area.

“I have noticed many ‘entry level’ roles requiring anywhere from 1 to 7 years of experience,” Peek said.

Micah Barkley, a 2026 graduate of Lipscomb University with a degree in journalism and new media, also began looking for jobs before graduation. Barkley hoped to stay in Middle Tennessee to remain close to the friends she made at Lipscomb, but after applying for six local jobs and not hearing back, she expanded her search.

“It was frustrating, because I know I have the skills to enter the workplace,” Barkley said. “I just don’t have the five years of experience so many jobs require. But I just got out of college, I have to get that experience somewhere first.”

For Barkley, the silence after applying made the process even harder.

“It would have been nice to at least receive a ‘no’,” Barkley said.

The lack of response from employers was one of the most common frustrations among graduates.

Ben Hooper, a 2026 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in political science, is currently searching for work in political campaigns, state government, public relations and assistant roles.

He has applied for positions in Tennessee and out of state, including Georgia, North Carolina, Iowa and Minnesota.

“I’m trying to cast as wide a net as possible while keeping it close to my desired field,” Hooper said.

Hooper also said the silence after applying or interviewing can be discouraging.

“You cast a net, get a few interviews, and then nothing,” Hooper said. “No rejection, no hiring, just radio silence.”

Ann Sowell, a 2026 graduate of Lipscomb University with a degree in public relations, said she expected either a family connection or an internship she had invested extra time into to lead to a job.

Neither happened.

“After graduation, I was jobless, and I’d already signed a lease for rent on an apartment, and I was panicking,” Sowell said.

Sowell estimated she sent more than 30 applications, cold emails and requests for coffee meetings before landing her current role as an associate publicist at a music group in Brentwood. She said many applications felt impersonal, with little opportunity to show employers who she was beyond her résumé.

“It was mostly clicking through a website, and then submitting my résumé, and that was it,” Sowell said. “I think I’m more than some letters on a page.”

Not every graduate described the job market the same way.

Daisy Taylor, a 2026 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in art education, found a job as a high school art teacher at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, the same school where she completed her student teaching.

Taylor said openings in art education remain limited.

“I graduated with eight people, five of whom are still searching for positions in art education,” Taylor said. “I don’t believe there are enough jobs for the amount of people graduating.”

Taylor said she has not seen entry-level teaching jobs asking for prior experience in the same way graduates in other fields described. But she said the waiting period after submitting an application can still be difficult.

“The hardest part of entering the job market is the unknown after you submit an application,” Taylor said. “You may never hear back or it may take a long time to hear back.”

Experience is Key

For Neely Johns, a 2026 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a degree in nursing, the process was more straightforward. Through UT Medical Center’s new graduate nurse program, Johns was able to choose a specialty pathway and interview with the NICU. After applying, she interviewed and was offered a position a week later.

“This process was very simple and easy for me, and there were several options of specialties to apply for,” Johns said.

Johns said her clinical experience, including rotations in postpartum, labor and delivery, helped her get into the field she wanted.

“Having two semesters’ worth of this specialty experience definitely helped me get into the field I wanted,” Johns said.

Career and workforce officials said the experiences described by graduates reflect a job market where opportunities exist, but applicants may need to be more strategic.

Lily Corley, assistant director of the Career Development Center at Lipscomb University, said finding a good job after graduation is still possible, but the process can be difficult for new graduates.

“It’s not the easiest market we’ve seen for new graduates,” Corley said.

Corley said some students become discouraged when they do not have an ideal job lined up by graduation. At Lipscomb, she said more than 95% of graduates in the last five years have had a job or a spot in graduate school within six months, but some graduates have to adjust their expectations for a first job.

“It’s a lot easier to get a second job than a first one, so it’s most important to find somewhere you can learn and grow,” Corley said.

One challenge, Corley said, is that recent graduates may be competing against applicants who already have a few years of experience. “Graduates are frustrated because it’s hard to get experience without that first opportunity,” Corley said.

Corley said internships, part-time work, student leadership and other hands-on experience during college can help graduates show employers they are familiar with the workflow and tools in their field.

She also said applicant tracking systems can create another barrier. Corley recommends using a simple résumé without columns and tailoring résumés and cover letters to match the job description.

Follow Up

For graduates who are applying and not hearing back, Corley recommends applying directly on an organization’s website when possible, reaching out to recruiters or employees at the company and following up a week or two after applying.

“If someone is expecting and looking out for your application, your odds are much better,” Corley said.

Corley said graduates should also reach out to alumni or other professional contacts who can offer insight into a company or industry.

“Referrals and connections are golden, and the path to success looks a little bit different for everyone,” Corley said.

Dedrick Moore, division assistant director with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, said Middle Tennessee’s job market remains active, with employers posting openings and looking for talent at multiple levels.

Moore said healthcare, IT support, manufacturing, logistics and skilled trades continue to show strong demand across Middle Tennessee.

For entry-level applicants, Moore said employers are often looking beyond years of experience.

“Most employers are looking for candidates who communicate well, show up reliably, and demonstrate a willingness to learn,” Moore said. “Even in technical fields, employers often prioritize attitude and problem-solving skills over years of experience.”

Moore said the silence after applying is common, but graduates can take steps to improve their chances.

“Not hearing back can be discouraging, but it’s more common than people realize,” Moore said.

Moore said recent graduates who are not hearing back should follow up after about a week with a brief, polite message. He also said graduates should make sure their résumés are formatted clearly and use language that matches the job description.

American Job Centers can also help recent graduates with résumés, interview practice, job-search coaching, hiring events and connections to local employers, Moore said.

For discouraged graduates, Moore said the search should become more intentional.

“Try shifting your focus from applying everywhere to applying intentionally: build your skills, expand your network, and use the resources available to you,” Moore said.

Elaine Middleton, executive director of the Fayetteville Lincoln County Industrial Development Board, said Lincoln County’s job market is increasingly centered on manufacturing, skilled trades and logistics.

Middleton said employers are placing more emphasis on practical skills, certifications and hands-on experience than on degrees alone.

“Employers hiring young workers or recent graduates for entry level positions typically look for a mix of basic workplace skills, a strong attitude, and the ability to learn quickly,” Middleton said.

Middleton said manufacturing, transportation and logistics, skilled trades and healthcare can offer clearer pathways for recent graduates, especially when entry-level jobs include training or room to move into higher-skilled roles.

For graduates struggling with the search, Middleton said flexibility matters.

“The local job market can be competitive and may offer fewer openings than larger metropolitan areas, but graduates can improve their chances by remaining flexible,” Middleton said.

Even as graduates’ experiences vary, several said they want employers to understand that new graduates are willing to work, but need training and investment early in their careers.

“I don’t mind long hours or weekend work,” Hooper said. “We just need adequate training and investment into our careers. No one got to where they are today without help, and we are no different.”

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Photo, top, courtesy of Ron Latch / Pexels