
Diving into our survey results, we first wanted to know what pressures recent college graduates are feeling after earning their degrees. College is undoubtedly a stressful period of life, but post-grad comes along with its own set of anxiety-inducing obligations.
Unsurprisingly, the top stressor according to recent graduates is having a successful career. For most, increased earning potential and job security are primary motivators for attending college, so it makes sense that having a successful career would be the leading concern for the years following.1
But professional potential isn’t the only thing on the minds of recent college graduates. Other top areas considered to be stressors are buying a house (according to 17.4%) and having a career in your field or major (according to 11.6%). Having your life together, or in other words, a combination of all these life stressors, is a concern for 30.4% of college graduates. Just a mere 0.6% say they experience no pressures after college.
Major life events are exciting to some but can be stressful to others. However, according to our survey, having a baby and getting married are considered to be the lowest areas of concern for young adults with college degrees. This correlates directly with how generations over time are waiting longer to start families until they are established in their careers.2