Think of it like your household budget when you have an unexpected bill. This is what recent college graduates are facing in New York City as they struggle to find full-time employment.

The official story is that the economy is recovering from the pandemic, with record numbers of job openings. But beneath this rosy picture lies a stark reality: young adults are finding it nearly impossible to secure stable jobs.

I did not want to believe this when I first heard it — after all, my late husband always said, "It's never as bad as the newspapers say." Yet, stories like the one from a recent college graduate who can't find full-time work in New York City make me worry deeply for younger generations.

Let’s imagine you just finished your degree and are looking for a job. You’ve sent out countless applications but receive no responses. The rent is due, and without income, you’re facing eviction. Your parents step in to help, paying the rent until you can find something stable. This isn’t just an individual story; it’s becoming alarmingly common.

What this means for families and young people is a heavy burden of debt, delayed independence, and uncertainty about the future. I often wonder how my own grandchildren will fare in such challenging times.

The analogy to your household budget becomes clearer: if you can’t cover your expenses with income alone, what happens? You either cut back on necessities or find someone else to foot the bill temporarily — which is exactly what many young adults are doing.

But there’s a generational shift happening here. Young people who grew up watching their parents work hard and build lives independently are now finding it difficult to follow in those footsteps. It’s heartbreaking, really, when you think about how much was promised to them regarding opportunities after graduation.

I just want people to understand that this isn’t isolated; it’s a widespread issue affecting many young professionals across the country. The job market is not living up to expectations set by previous administrations.

Reflecting on what I’ve learned, I can't help but feel anxious about how these struggles will impact future generations. It's a sobering thought that we may be setting them back rather than helping them move forward.

I stayed up last night thinking about this — the weight of it all is heavy, and it’s not just for me anymore; I’m worried for my family, your family too.

It’s important to share these stories so that we can start a conversation about how to better support our young people. Please take some time to read more about this and perhaps even talk with someone about what you can do to help.