Students say they are anxious about their lives after college
Photo via @universityofdayton Instagram
Kathleen Delaney | Contributing Writer
Most University of Dayton students, whether first-year or fourth- to fifth-year, fear the future, whether it be due to the job market, the topsy-turvy economy, the rise of AI, or the possibility of feeling unfulfilled in their career choices.
Flyer News quizzed 20 students during the last few weeks of fall semester, asking each the same question: “What, if anything, worries you today about your future?”
Many expressed concerns about expectations, careers and looming decisions.
“I’m worried about not living up to the expectations I have set for myself and also, ironically, getting too caught up in my future that I forget about enjoying the present,” sophomore mechanical engineering major Giuliana DiGiannantonio, 19, said.
Finding a career to pursue and being able to balance the career with life outside the career is what worries sophomore Charley Fitzpatrick, who is studying finance.
Marketing sophomore Lexie Kane, 19, said, “I just hope I end up in a career that I’m excited about and that gives me stability.”
For others, a job market that doesn’t offer a lot of security and is being heavily influenced by artificial intelligence, and tariffs makes them uneasy.
“Although I am very excited to see the different opportunities AI can provide in business, this significant change can feel overwhelming,” said 19-year-old sophomore Sarah Speski, a digital marketing major.
Job market uncertainty is also a big concern for junior Communication student Myah Hammond, 21. “It is significant to be part of something and to actually enjoy going to work every day,” she said.
Then again, there will always be students who are hesitant about stepping into the world of work after college and would rather continue their college studies. Take for example Justin Harris, a 20-year-old junior majoring in journalism and media production.
“I’m worried about what I want to do after graduation, like if I want to go to grad school or go straight to work,” he said.
The same fear worries criminal justice junior Olivia Marciano, 20. “For the future, I’m worried about deciding if I go to law school or not and what job I can be the happiest in while also being the most successful and feel fulfilled.”
Education senior Gabrielle Rini said uncertainty about happiness in her future career remains her biggest concern: “I might not be happy with my career.”
Concerns typically are more immediate for seniors as the traditional spring graduation season approaches.
“The unknown is really scary because I don’t know what my future holds and where I’ll end up,” communication senior Grace Scott, 21, said.
English creative writing senior Jack Blume, 21, said financial stability may push him into a career he is unsure about. “My biggest worry is that I will feel unfulfilled as a result of that,” he said.
But for some, adventure outweighs anxiety.
“The chance to learn more, see more of the world, and experience new things genuinely excites me,” 21-year-old marketing senior Matthew Fritton said.
Editor’s Note: Kathleen Delaney is a student in the Flyer News Practicum, offered fall and spring semester. Students in the Practicum are given real-world assignments for publication in the Flyer News digital edition or on the website flyernews.com. The Practicum is offered through the Department of Communication.