College Students' Political Anxiety Grows Amid Future Uncertainty

WHO:

ABC News - Frankie Llerandi, 21, a student at Michigan State University.

ABC News - Kira Saiti, 19, a sophomore at Michigan State University.

ABC News - Julian Bautista, 20, a junior at Michigan State University.

ABC News - Praveen Amunugama, 21, a biochemistry major at Michigan State University.

ABC News - Kevin Corinth, an economist at the American Enterprise Institute.

ABC News - Kathryn Edwards, a Texas-based economist.

ABC News - Marla McGraw, assistant dean of career management at Michigan State's business school.

ABC News - Karlee VanAntwerp, a 21-year-old Michigan State senior and head of the local chapter of Turning Point.

ABC News - Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official running for U.S. Senate.

ABC News - Will Lawrence, a liberal activist running against Republican congressman Tom Barrett.

WHAT:

ABC News - Many college students are feeling anxious about their future.

ABC News - Frankie Llerandi has been unable to land a single internship in three years.

ABC News - The unemployment rate for those age 22 to 27 is 7.2%.

ABC News - Unemployment among recent college graduates is at 5.6%.

ABC News - A 2024 study found Generation Z is poised to be wealthier than millennials.

ABC News - Young Americans' optimism about the job market has plummeted since 2024.

ABC News - A Gallup survey indicated a significant gap between young people's views of the economy and those of their elders.

WHERE:

ABC News - Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

WHY:

ABC News - Students express anxiety due to a perceived failure of democracy and concerns about job prospects and homeownership.

ABC News - Julian Bautista attributes his decision to leave the U.S. for work to cuts made during the Trump administration.

ABC News - Economic challenges, including high housing prices and rising costs for essentials, contribute to the anxiety among young people.

HOW:

ABC News - Students are supporting progressive, antiestablishment Democratic candidates to address their concerns.

ABC News - Marla McGraw assists students in navigating the job market, which is increasingly digital and AI-powered.

(UPDATED October 4, 2026 17:21 UTC)

Many college students, particularly at Michigan State University, are expressing anxiety about their future job prospects, with some, like Frankie Llerandi, struggling to secure internships for three years. A recent study highlighted that while unemployment among recent graduates stands at 5.6%, the overall unemployment rate for those aged 22 to 27 is at 7.2%, leading to a significant drop in young Americans' optimism about the job market. In response to these challenges, students are increasingly supporting progressive candidates and seeking guidance from professionals like Marla McGraw to navigate the evolving, digital job landscape.