A computer science graduate can’t find a job, works in a restaurant instead, asks what’s going on in the US – many tell the same story

A frustrated Reddit post is striking a nerve among job seekers across the United States, especially recent graduates who have been told that technical degrees are a safe bet.

Posting on r/jobs, user u/ApprehensiveGoal2782 shared a straightforward account of how quickly things unraveled after graduation.

What they expected to be a direct entry into the tech workforce instead turned into months of rejection, silence, and survival work. Judging by the comments, they are far from alone.

The user explained that they graduated from what they described as a “pretty good school” in May with two bachelor’s degrees, computer science and math. In addition, they completed two internships at a medical device company and worked part-time as a researcher and data analyst during college. On paper, it’s the kind of resume that many students are told guarantees an opportunity.

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Yet after submitting more than 500 job applications, only two interviews resulted beyond AI screening, both of which ended up as ghosts. The poster said that with rent to pay and no safety net, they had to go back to working at a restaurant, something they had last done in high school, just to avoid homelessness.

“What the hell is going on?” they asked, adding that even blue-collar jobs are hard to come by now.

Why did the graduate try to get at least a job in a restaurant?

In a follow-up comment, u/ApprehensiveGoal2782 revealed that they had to strip their resume of technical credentials to get hired. “I basically had to scrub my resume because I kept getting rejected because it didn’t fit,” they wrote, calling the process “excruciating.”

One response summed up the dark humor of the moment. u/Hour_Implement_6537 commented, “You’re lucky the restaurant even hired you,” getting hundreds of upvotes.

Are others seeing the same labor market collapse?

Many debaters answered yes. One user wrote: “Work hard in school or you’ll be flipping burgers. Either way you’ll be flipping burgers.”

Another commenter, u/descend_to_misery, offered practical advice instead of despair, suggesting professional organizations and mentoring programs as one possible route. They also reminded readers not to quit restaurant work altogether, noting that top service jobs can pay well.

The original poster replied simply, “Thank you.”

Frequently asked questions

Why is this post getting so much attention?
Many graduates say the experience mirrors their own struggles in today’s American job market.

Did the poster offend a restaurant employee?
No. The user clarified that he respects the industry but sees the move as a personal downgrade after working as an engineer.