Senior Communications majors, Domenic Neely, Ross Willerth, and Grant Ward showcasing the awards they and other students won at the Iowa College Media Association’s Media Awards in Des Moines in February. Photo courtesy of SAU TV.
Graduation is only a couple of months away, and seniors at St. Ambrose University are working to plan their futures and secure jobs in an increasingly uncertain job market.
Media senior Grant Ward says he is already experiencing challenges, saying, “I’ve had trouble finding jobs in many fields. Oftentimes it feels like even if there’s positions available, it can take a while to hear back from companies and businesses. The fact is that it’s not what you know it’s who you know, and you need to work to make those connections to find larger opportunities.”
“It hurts because I feel like the work I have done isn’t important or impactful in terms of what recruiters can see.”
According to CNBC, 2025 college graduates have faced one of the toughest job markets in a decade, with only 30% securing full-time jobs in their fields. Declining hiring trends could make the job market even more challenging for those graduating in 2026.
“Although the Class of 2025 submitted more job applications than their 2024 counterparts, they received fewer job offers, on average, than the previous class, the National Association of Colleges and Employers found,” CNBC reported.
Despite national challenges, SAU prepares students for success. According to SAU Career Services, as of 2023, “Ninety-five percent of graduates find employment, serve, or continue their education within six months of graduating.”
SAU Student’s Plans After College
Senior Suzuko Jackson is double majoring in social work and psychology with a minor in sociology. She plans to pursue a career in mental health counseling and doesn’t think finding a job after graduation will be difficult.
Even if future challenges arise, she says, “I kind of stick with the mentality that what is meant for me will align to my path, and if it’s not meant for me and not meant to happen, then it won’t.”
Senior Ty Hudson is majoring in sports management and hopes to become an athletic director or work in coaching, officiating, or athletic training. He credits Ambrose with providing opportunities that prepare students for success.
“With its numerous internship classes, career fairs, and volunteer opportunities, Ambrose has set us up for success post-graduation. I feel I will not have struggles finding a job in my field because there are many opportunities for everyone, you just need to take advantage of them.”
Facing Senioritis
Senior Justin Gordon, a mechanical engineering major, says burnout has affected his motivation and that he isn’t putting as much effort into his classes as he used to.
“I’m barely focusing on my last Gen Ed class since it’s a 100-level course. It feels like it pulls my already limited attention away from the classes I really need to focus on.”
Ward agrees that senioritis is real.
“I felt it a ton during fall semester, often asking myself if I really needed to get certain work done and procrastinating a lot. This semester is different for some reason. I’m a lot more interested in getting my work done and making it good, I suppose it’s kind of an attitude about how this is my last time in class and I should make it count.”
Jackson describes a similar struggle.
“I am seeing a little bit of senioritis in my daily life, often in completing and working on assignments, but I am still an organized individual who is constantly worried about the next step, so there is often a little internal battle that happens. I try to combat the procrastination urges I feel daily.”
How Ambrose is Preparing Students for their Future
William McAleer, an academic and career planning coach at SAU, says he does not often see students who are worried or feeling unprepared for post-grad life, but he meets a handful each semester.
“We mostly get students who come in looking to do mock interviews, or resume reviews, and sometimes alumni who come back and get help through our office.”
McAleer adds that students don’t utilize the career center’s services as much as they should and encourages more students to take advantage of the resources available.
Laurie Harrison, an academic advisor at SAU, says internships play a major role in hireability.
“Its not about learning a certain technical skill; it’s about the people skills and showing your future employers that you know how to work with others in a professional setting.”
While national statistics paint a challenging picture for the Class of 2026, SAU seniors are proving that preparation, persistence, and perspective can make all the difference as they transition from college to career.
