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‘Not even unpaid work...’: Yale University graduate recounts 500 job rejections despite Ivy League degree

‘Not even unpaid work...’: Yale University graduate recounts 500 job rejections despite Ivy League degree

The 23-year-old, who studied psychology and Spanish, moved to Spain after graduating from Yale to teach English on a Fulbright scholarship.

Business Today Desk
Business Today Desk
  • Updated May 23, 2025 1:26 PM IST
‘Not even unpaid work...’: Yale University graduate recounts 500 job rejections despite Ivy League degree His candid posts reflect a growing anxiety among even the most educated graduates in today’s job market.

Three years after graduating with honors from Yale and earning a master’s in bilingual education, 24-year-old Jacob is still jobless—and he’s had enough. Now living with his parents in Ohio, the former Fulbright scholar has gone public with his struggle, revealing he’s faced nearly 500 rejections.

Jacob, who studied psychology and Spanish, moved to Spain after graduating to teach English on a Fulbright scholarship. At 23, he published a children’s picture book, Grandma’s Letter Exchange, and returned to Ohio soon after.

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“I graduated from Yale with honors 3 years ago, got a master’s, and still can’t even get an unpaid internship,” he wrote in one Instagram post. He noted that he graduated from Yale—“one of the world’s best universities”—at just 21.

His Instagram account, aptly titled “Jacob, Get a Job!”, documents his ongoing quest. “After 473 job rejections, I'm 24, living at home, and ready to bring my skills to the right opportunity if my bank account lets me,” he shared.

Jacob is passionate about working in children’s media and has a strong background in educational programming. He founded a nonprofit that has reached over 750,000 people and has performed social-emotional theater internationally. Still, a breakthrough remains elusive.

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“I have friends who make $100k+ as NASA scientists, consultants, and engineers,” he posted. “I studied psychology and Spanish, earned a master’s in bilingual education, and have experience creating programs for kids.”

He thanked his father for his constant encouragement: “Turns out Yale doesn’t give job offers with the degree! So thanks for always believing in me, dad.”

With self-deprecating humor, Jacob summed up his journey: “Thought it would be easy to find a job after graduating Yale. Did not find a job. Stressed and depressed. At least don't have to wake up for 9 am class.”

His story underscores a growing anxiety among even the most credentialed graduates as they navigate a tightening job market.

Published on: Mar 22, 2025 2:18 PM IST
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