4.0, Still Jobless
A Berkeley computer science professor has raised alarm by revealing that even his top graduates with flawless 4.0 GPAs are failing to land jobs. James O’Brien wrote on LinkedIn that the tech job market has changed so dramatically that excellence no longer ensures employment. In the past, even average Berkeley CS majors received multiple offers, but today the most exceptional are being ignored. The crisis extends far beyond tech. A study by the Strada Institute and Burning Glass Institute found that 52% of bachelor’s holders are underemployed one year after graduation, and nearly half remain stuck a decade later. Tech job postings have plunged more than 30% since 2020, while layoffs topped 137,000 in 2024. Hiring in finance, insurance, and real estate is down 14.5% this year. For students carrying debt and chasing stability, the promise of a degree is breaking. Universities must prepare graduates with sharper career guidance, market awareness, and practical pathways. Academic achievement alone no longer protects against a volatile job market.