Are you still unemployed in the big 2026? If so, then this article is for you. Do you need money to buy your own stuff and be independent? Maybe you need a job to boost your resume and impress colleges. People have many different reasons to get jobs, and since we’re likely going to dedicate the majority of our lives to work, it does make sense to have one you enjoy. Three different student accounts from our very own HSMSE have vastly different experiences in today’s job market. 

If you are still unemployed this year, you’re not alone. The Echo interviewed Kadijatu Barry (’27) on her own experiences of searching for work. She currently does not have a job. “There’s not a lot of options that really align with me,” Kadijatu said. “I want to work in something I actually care about, which, to be fair, isn’t something [I’ve] figured out yet.” This is a real issue among students looking for employment.

Along with the increasingly competitive job market, it is much harder for anyone to get jobs tailored to certain interests. Many jobs left for students like us are stressful, underpaying, part-time jobs, like cashiers and restaurant waiters, which aren’t oriented towards our skills. Kadijatu later said that while she had found jobs to do during the summer, she would rather continue her search for other opportunities. While it is unfortunate to turn down an internship or job opportunity, if a student has little interest in it, it might not have fulfilled them anyway. Imagine you take an internship, and every day you wake up exhausted, thinking how much you’d rather be doing something else. You watch the clock tick by at the program, all the while living with the guilt that you might’ve taken away the opportunity for someone genuinely interested in the internship. 

While some have the opportunity to use employment to explore their interests, others need a job just to get by. Take this other interviewed junior, who wished to remain anonymous to protect sensitive financial information. When asked about her job in a restaurant, she said, “I work during the week from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends.” She added, “It is both physically heavy and mentally draining.” However, this job is a necessity for her. Without it, her family would be struggling financially. 

According to U.S. News, “The inflation Americans faced in recent years is unlike anything seen in decades. COVID-19 struck in early 2020, a combination of lockdowns, stimulus checks, reopening, and supply chain issues sent prices skyrocketing.” This puts a strain on already-disadvantaged families. The strain can pass onto their kids, prioritizing jobs that pay decent wages rather than those that contribute to their interests. The same junior interviewed claimed that if given the opportunity, she would want a job in finance or accounting. This goes to show that priorities and circumstances can heavily influence what someone looks for in a job.

All things considered, this article makes it sound like it is better to be jobless. Some of you might be feeling helpless right now, but there is hope. A third junior, Avighna Anand (’27), said she obtained a summer job. “I’m in a training program to teach at art camps. I have an interest in art and STEM; the TA [position] combines both,” she said. Avighna’s job as a TA includes teaching elementary school kids a variety of programs such as Scratch and Lego Robotics. By using online resources, she managed to find employment that includes her own interests. She considers the find “lucky,” showing how the idea of luck plays a rather big part in a job hunt.

As of the time this article is released, most summer internships have closed, and some are nearing their deadlines. Although considering all of this can be daunting, it is never too late to give up. Look around your community and find something you want to do. Be persistent, keep on searching, and surely you will find something that matches your interests and priorities in a job.

Freshmen, it is never too early to start looking for things to do in the summer. Sophomores, same as freshmen. Juniors, getting a job isn’t the only way to boost your resume. Do volunteer work, find a summer program, find something that resonates with you. And seniors, you’re already going to college, so I don’t know what to say to you. Best of luck.