As per Michigan Labor data, unemployment rates in Michigan are higher than the national average. This situation has left several college attendees worried about their career after graduation. We need good benefits, good health care, good pay, there’s a lot of things we need, stated one of the students, Gary Muhammad. Muhammad has intentions of switching careers and is concerned about the volatile job market. One of my biggest fears is the way the job market is changing with all the layoffs and how it’s going to affect this community, he expressed.

The data shows that in January 2025, Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties had 12,900 unemployed individuals, translating to a 5.1% unemployment rate. This is a noticeable increase compared to 9,700 unemployed individuals recorded in January 2024, which equated to a 4% unemployment rate.

Liz Fischer, a career advisor specialist at Lansing Community College, encourages students to continue building connections to tackle the shifting job scenario. Your degree will help you, your certificate will help you, but what goes a long way is really forging those connections, she advised.

If students in Michigan or around the United States face similar employment issues, contacting organizations which provide unemployment benefits may be useful. In California, for instance, contacting the California Employment Development Department (EDD) would be the appropriate course of action. They provide unemployment, disability, and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits to eligible citizens. For information on how to reach the EDD, consider visiting eddcaller.com. This website provides detailed guides on getting through to EDD representatives, contacting EDD disability service, or getting a hold of SDI (State Disability Insurance).