For Shayna Kohl, a senior studying chemistry, worsening economic conditions mean more than just price changes. She said she is concerned that uncertainty in the job market will lead to her “living to work rather than working to live.”
On February 25, the U.S. consumer confidence index — a monthly survey that measures consumers’ confidence in the economy, labor market and finances — dropped seven points, the sharpest decline since 2021. This index is one of several indicators that suggest rough waters ahead for the economy, and that uncertainty is adding stress for job-seeking Trojans.
Kohl, whose studies focus on sustainability, is worried that tariffs and the rising cost of living will impact her career prospects.
“It’s actually a source of anxiety right now for me. My research and what I’m interested in is sustainability efforts, which are especially targeted,” Kohl said.
Kohl is also a dancer, and is concerned the job market will impact her daily life and hobbies.
“I like to pay for dance classes and go to studios around L.A. and workshops,” Kohl said. “I think, given the nature of the economy right now, that might be something that I’ll have to cut out to support rent and groceries.”
On February 1, President Donald Trump implemented a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China. Trump also raised tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 25%. In 2024, goods from China, Mexico and Canada accounted for more than 40% of imports into the US.
The cost of living is expected to go up as businesses turn higher import costs onto consumers. Everyday essentials like groceries, cars and household goods could rise in price, stretching average household budgets. The rising tariffs are reflected heavily in the consumer confidence drop.
Alexandra Markus, a post-baccalaureate student in USC’s pre-medical program, said she feels secure in her career path and job opportunities, but that she still recognizes the broader challenges for undergraduate students.
“Even post-undergrad, it’s impossible to find jobs with just a bachelor’s,” Markus said. “You can’t really do anything anymore. So it is very frustrating and nerve-wracking. I’m privileged enough that I’m going into a field that has jobs, but even then, everything is just so hard.”
Although she believes that her job has some security, Markus said growing financial constraints may affect the kinds of medical careers students matriculate into.
“You see a lot of pre-meds who finish all their requirements, take the MCAT, and then decide not to go to med school because it’s just too expensive,” she said.
“A lot of people are worried that general doctors, like internal medicine doctors, don’t make that much compared to specialists… instead, they might switch to shorter programs, like dental, PA or MSN programs, to get paid sooner and take on less debt,” she added.
Stephen Hong, a freshman majoring in industrial systems engineering, said he believes his field of study will remain stable.
“Personally, I think my major is going to secure me a nice job, but obviously, there are going to be industries that are going to kind of fade away,” Hong said. “And people that are in those majors might struggle.”
With inflation rising, layoffs mounting and the cost of living climbing, students across disciplines said they may have to reevaluate their career and major choices.
When asked if students should consider a major switch for future security, Hong said he thinks “people are kind of afraid to make that change.”
“I think a lot of people are going to hit reality around the time they’re going to graduate,” he said.
Kohl mentioned that if she could go back to the beginning of her undergraduate studies, she might have taken a different approach to her studies.
“Instead of maybe going into green chemistry and sustainable energy, I am thinking about pharmacology, synthesis of medicine,” Kohl said. “[It] seems like we’re entering a world where business and profits seem to matter more than a lot of other things. So that could have been lucrative, but I guess we’ll never know.”