2024 job outlook shows decline in opportunity for new college graduates

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Banyan Neece had never been to Nebraska before college.

“I literally just came out here. Took a leap of faith,” he said.

He’s from Hawaii. His dad has a background in trade work, but Neece has a knack for finance.

“Literally every single day is different,” he said. “We’re always reacting to the market, learning about new companies, new industries.”

The past four years he’s been building a resume.

“I was looking for full-time roles maybe like a year and a half out.”

According to the latest report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, it’s taking longer for graduates to find a job, from 5.5 months last year to 6 months this year. According to that same study, it’s also expected hiring for the class of 2024 to drop by nearly 2 percent.

“In a tough job market, it’s the little things that stand out,” said Jeremy Fisher, senior director of Creighton’s Career Center.

He told 6 News new graduates are looking for jobs that typically require a college degree: “Corporate to nonprofit to healthcare to government organizations.”

Those jobs are just getting more competitive. Major companies like Google, Amazon, and IBM, announced scaling back on hiring.

“Maybe it’s not that first job out of college. Maybe that’s the second or third destination out of college.”

Ultimately, Neece believes it’s networking that’s allowed him to secure a job right here in Omaha.

“The thing about education is that it’s definitely an investment,” said Neece.

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