New grads say employers set the bar too high for entry-level roles: 'No job is willing to give you that first experience'

Recent graduates say entry-level roles often demand years of experience they can’t actually get. Rachel Grandis, 22, graduated from Elon University in May with a strategic communications degree and multiple internships and campus work, yet still struggled to secure a full-time offer. She argues employers expect “three years of experience” at the entry level, and worries AI-assisted applicant tracking systems may automatically screen out the 2026 graduating cohort. A new employability report from Cengage, based on surveys from April to August 2026, finds 77% of grads report too much experience being requested and 75% see too few real entry-level opportunities.