With entry-level jobs vanishing, Gen Z grads are ditching corporate America—piecing together careers with entrepreneurship, gig work and freelancing

College was once a one-way ticket to a secure, full-time job with health care and a 401(k). But in the AI age, it’s becoming less of a reality and more of a faraway dream.

That’s most apparent to recent graduates. Today, instead of betting on a full-time job, more Gen Z graduates are looking to alternative paths to employment out of necessity. ZipRecruiter’s 2026 Graduate Report found that more are turning to unconventional jobs right out of college. 

According to the study—a survey of 1,500 class of 2025 graduates and 1,500 soon-to-be class of 2026 graduates—nearly 38% are considering starting their own business, 32.5% are looking at gig work, 28% are exploring freelance work, and 11% are pursuing the skilled trades.

“Grads are piecing together experience through internships, side work, stepping-stone roles, and even starting their own ventures,” Nicole Bachaud, labor economist at ZipRecruiter, said in a statement. “With fewer entry-level roles available, their path looks different, but........

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