Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

Posted by MITthrow123 4/7/2025

I'm a senior at MIT studying Course 6 (EECS), and I'm graduating soon with no job lined up. I've applied to tons of places, done interviews, built side projects, but nothing has landed—and it's not just me. A lot of my classmates, some of the smartest and hardest-working people I know, are also unemployed or under incredible stress trying to figure things out.

It's honestly demoralizing. I came to MIT hoping to build a better life—not just for myself, but for my family. Now I’m facing the very real possibility of moving back home to an unstable and abusive environment while continuing to job hunt. The thought alone is crushing. I’ve even considered staying for an MEng just to avoid going home, but I’m completely burnt out and have no thesis direction. MIT gave me freedom, food security, friends, a bed of my own for the first time. It changed everything. But now that graduation’s here, it feels like it’s all slipping away.

If you've been through something similar—late job search success, unexpected turns that worked out, or just any advice—I’d really appreciate it. What helped you push through when it felt like the system failed you?

Thanks for reading.

215 points | 234 commentspage 3

ioulaum 22 hours ago|

Partner with the others and build a product / company...

A startup of your own still looks fine on your resume.

Anderson98G 2 days ago||

Sorry to hear you are demoralised. Hang in there. Tough times dont last, tough people do.

I'm planning to startup and looking for early engineers. Hit me up on Linkedin if you are interested https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkattani/

giardini 4/9/2025||

There's some evidence that your career success depends heavily on the timing of your entry into the job market. That is, if you start working during an economic slump your career will suffer but if you wait and enter during a peak economic period you will always "ride the wave". I've seen this happen to individuals.

So I suggest that you stay in school, take a Masters degree and try to enter the market at a better time!

Don't go any further than a Master's. Here's why:

Philip Greenspun has provided the following graph at the URL titled "Career Guide for Engineers and Computer Scientists" at https://philip.greenspun.com/careers/

THIS IS YOUR EDUCATION, THIS IS YOUR SALARY

     !
 $50K!
     !                                          **
     !                                        **  *
 $40K!                                      **     *    Any Questions?
     !                                    **        *
     !                               *****           *
 $30K!                           ****                 *
     !                       ****                      *
     !                  *****                           *
 $20K!             *****                                 *
     !        *****                                       *
     !     ***                                             *
 $10K!  ***                                                 *
     !**                                                     *
     !                                                        *
   0
   +--------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+--*--------->

     no       high       some        Bachelor's   Master's  Doctor
     high     school     college     Degree       Degree    of
     school   diploma                                       Philosophy
     diploma

aorist 1 day ago||

I think this (jokingly) assumes that PhDs become academics, which is not always true. Also, PhDs are generally free and if you leave early you get a Master's anyway. Terminal Master's you have to pay for.

bcye 4/9/2025||

I think the context of it being titled: "Not So Very Serious Stuff" is missing

preordained 4/7/2025||

Is there no pipeline--or a job fair? A way to get a moment with prospective employers? It seems tragically stupid if MIT offers no such thing. Applying into the void seems like a fool's errand.

jdalt 4/9/2025||

I graduated in 2009 in the middle of the Great Recession. I lived in a basement after graduation and did odd jobs for 9 months while learning how to build web apps. Then I took a job teaching English in South Korea.

After I got back from Korea 2 years later I faced a similar situation. Be flexible, take odd jobs, don't be afraid to work in the trades and use your free time to build durable economic skills for a job that you really want. Conditions will change (and they do so unevenly throughout the economy).

Get by and get ready. They can't repossess your brain. If you're from a financially unstable background - live cheap and be creative until you've built the stability you want.

xmgad 3 days ago||

Sucks how things are rough out there right now. You strike me as someone with a lot of heart, and I really hope something good comes your way soon. I’m working on a startup at UC Berkeley with my co-founder, we’re bootstrapping at the moment, but we’ve got a lot lined up.

Would love to connect if you’re open to chatting. No pressure at all — just figured I’d reach out. Feel free to shoot me an email (info’s in my bio).

shtotidumaiesh 2 days ago||

Hey - I am an early employee at a well-funded (backed by top investors, Khosla, Lightspeed and others) Series A startup - we are hiring for engineers.

Pls get in touch with me asap if you are looking for a SWE position. Same for your MIT friends.

Send me an email, it's on my profile

inpain247 4/8/2025||

You can always teach English abroad or join the air force both of which solve the environment problem. Going back home isn't a great option unless you have a high paying job lined up and can save a lot of money. The main issue with staying home is your days become monotonous and years can pass just treading water. It is also a huge hit to self confidence and mental health at least for a traditional US household. While you're away, it will be vital to keep learning new skills and trying to find better opportunities or you will get stuck.

More comments...