Over half a million students have graduated from university in Canada this spring, but many are discovering the hard truth: a degree no longer guarantees employment. In fact, the unemployment rate for new grads has risen significantly, with many struggling to find jobs that align with their qualifications.
The average student loan debt for graduates stands at around $28,000, leaving many young Canadians burdened with financial strain while facing uncertain job prospects. Given these challenges, it’s clear that the traditional route from university to a stable job isn’t working as it once did.
As my fellow Troy Media contributor, Perry Kinkaide, recently wrote in The world of work is changing fast and young Canadians are being left behind, the changing nature of the workforce is a key factor in this problem. Automation, remote work and gig economies are shifting job availability and creating new opportunities. These shifts present challenges but also open doors for those willing to adapt.
Instead of waiting for opportunities to knock, graduates must take charge and find ways to offer value. Many have found success by looking beyond traditional job ads, whether by starting their own ventures, offering contract work, or finding innovative solutions to industry needs. Let’s look at a few examples:
Take Sally, for example. She studied environmental science, eager to help make British Columbia’s resource sector greener. But after sending resumes to all the major companies, she had no luck. Instead of continuing to wait for job offers, Sally shifted her approach. She researched companies, identified an environmental challenge, and pitched a solution on a contract basis. This proactive move allowed her to create work and find success.
Similarly, Tom, a newly graduated engineer, faced the same dilemma. He realized that simply sending out resumes and waiting for a call wasn’t going to get him where he wanted. Instead of waiting for a job offer, he stopped looking at job boards and began searching for projects he could contribute to. After finding a company working on a relevant project, he offered his help on a contract basis. One successful project led to another, and eventually, he secured a full-time position. And Mike, who wanted to be a lawyer, decided to build a PR business while in law school. His firm thrived, and he never needed to look for a job. Like Sally and Tom, Mike created his own opportunity rather than waiting for one.
But creating opportunities isn’t limited to entrepreneurship. It’s about equipping yourself with the right skills. In addition to innovative job-seeking approaches, alternative education paths offer a practical and rewarding way forward. Skilled trades, for example, offer immediate income and excellent job prospects.
After just a couple of years, trades workers are often able to save for a down payment on a house, while university graduates are still buried in debt. Trade programs provide practical skills that meet current demand and offer a faster return on investment than traditional university degrees.
Similarly, fields like healthcare, engineering and technology are desperate for technicians and technologists. These roles are critical to our economy, yet many Canadians overlook the opportunities they provide. Institutes of technology and smaller universities offer short, two-year programs that prepare students for work in these in-demand fields. These programs are a viable alternative to lengthy and uncertain university paths.
If you’re considering further education, do your research. Look at the employment outcomes for graduates of the programs you’re interested in. Are they successfully employed? Don’t rely solely on institutional promises—reach out to alumni and see where they are working. This will help ensure that the path you choose leads to real opportunities, not just more debt and uncertainty. The idea here is to research and adapt your education choices to match the market’s demand for specific skills, ultimately increasing your chances of success.
Whether you pursue university, trades or technical programs, consider learning entrepreneurial skills. These skills are invaluable in any field and allow you to identify new opportunities, create your own work and avoid the job hunt altogether. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business; it’s about offering value and finding the right opportunities before they’re advertised as jobs.
In a rapidly evolving job market, relying solely on traditional job offers isn’t enough. Graduates must shift their mindset from job-seeking to opportunity-creating. Whether through entrepreneurial ventures, contract work, or pursuing alternative education paths, the future belongs to those who can adapt and create value. The key to success is not waiting for a job to appear, but rather proactively identifying opportunities and providing real-world solutions. It's time for young Canadians to redefine success, take control of their futures, and build the career they deserve.
Dr. Roslyn Kunin is a respected Canadian economist known for her extensive work in economic forecasting, public policy, and labour market analysis. She has held various prominent roles, including serving as the regional director for the federal government’s Department of Employment and Immigration in British Columbia and Yukon and as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Kunin is also recognized for her contributions to economic development, particularly in Western Canada.
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