Why does today’s job market feel so discouraging, especially for recent college graduates?

In this episode of Spilling The Career Tea, Bill and Jerry are joined by Barbara Kurz, an executive coach and former senior leader in recruiting and talent management, to explore what’s really going on beneath the headlines.

Drawing on decades of experience across financial services, consulting, executive search, and global HR, Barbara helps reframe today’s challenges with honesty, perspective, and practical wisdom.

They discuss:

• Why disappointment after graduation isn’t new and why it still hurts
• The danger of treating college as a pure “return on investment”
• How skills based hiring is changing who gets hired (and how)
• The overlooked value of volunteering, internships, and experiential learning
• Why networking isn’t transactional, it’s relational
• What students and early career professionals can control, even in a tough market

This episode is especially relevant for Gen Z, recent grads, career changers, parents, and educators trying to make sense of a shifting world of work.

Honest. Grounded. Encouraging. This is career advice that meets you where you are.