Graduation should feel like the start of something great — but for too many new grads, it starts with uncertainty, job-search frustration – and often: the wrong first step.
Research shows that the time between graduation and a first professional role has a lasting impact on long-term career trajectory. Graduates who experience extended unemployment or take roles below their skill level often face slower income growth, weaker networks, and fewer opportunities years later. Economists call this the “Early Career Effect” – and it’s real. Those first 12 months can shape the next 6–10 years.
Here’s what the data tells us:
- The longer the job gap, the steeper the climb. Studies from the National Bureau of Economic Research and the IZA Institute show that graduates who take longer to find meaningful employment earn less – sometimes for up to a decade.
- First jobs matter. Early underemployment – taking jobs that don’t require your degree – increases the odds of staying underemployed later.
- Momentum builds opportunity. Those who gain traction early with the right entry-level role tend to accelerate faster, build stronger networks, and find better career alignment over the long term.
The good news: you can change the trajectory. That’s where coaching comes in. A structured, expert-guided approach helps you:
- Define your career direction and entry-point opportunities
- Build a personal and professional narrative and profile that connects your interests and education to a real-world opportunity landscape
- Create application materials and search process strategies that perform in AI-driven (and soon to be dominated) hiring systems
- Develop networking and interview skills that open real doors and create the foundation for early-career opportunity as well as career-long advancement
The goal isn’t just landing a job. It’s launching a career with lasting momentum. That’s how you avoid the Early Career Effect and head into the future with direction and confidence.