Let’s not sugarcoat it: College graduates in creative fields are stepping into a job market with AI replacing entry-level roles, internships drying up, and industries still recovering from global chaos. It’s disorienting. It’s frustrating. It’s not what they signed up for.
The underemployment rate for recent college grads is 42.2%, meaning many are stuck in jobs that don’t make full use of their creative skills. Couple this with the fact that entry-level creative jobs are disappearing fast.
And yet, at the same time, it’s true that there has never been a more thrilling time to be a creative. Or, I should say, a creator. Because now there is an entirely new sphere called “the creator economy.” It generated $250 billion in revenue in 2023.
First, yes, everything sucks!
If you entered college as an English major with the vision of walking the halls of Scholastic, or as a recording arts major with a daydream of working a soundboard at Universal Music Group, or as an animator with the dream of working on films for Marvel, you probably feel like your graduation day is something less than a celebration.
It is a fear-fest: One in which you’re expected to plaster on a smile, and express optimism that the job you want most is likely to appear, if only you wait a few weeks or a few months.
But deep in your heart, you know the truth:
- Entry-level creative jobs are vanishing or being automated.
- There’s uncertainty everywhere, even among creatives high on the food chain.
- And now there’s talk of tariffs and an economic recession.
Second, not everything is stacked against you.
Landing a traditional creative job may be tougher now—but there’s a powerful upside. You have more opportunity than ever before in human history to strike out on your own. With AI as your secret weapon, you’re poised to launch your own creative enterprise—on your own terms.
- Gatekeepers Are Gone
When I published my first two books, I had to land a literary agent, then a publisher, and then wait to see if the marketing team thought I was worth promoting. Today, in fields like publishing, gatekeepers no longer decide who gets to create or be seen. - Originality Will Define You
When fear sets in, you might think you need to produce more, faster—and let AI do the heavy lifting. But don’t lose your voice in the process. Your unique eye and tender heart are what set you apart. Have the courage to be yourself. That’s how you cut through the noise. - AI Tools Can Help You Build and Scale
By combining AI and social media tools, you can build a business, grow a niche audience, and create bold, innovative work. I’m not a recent graduate, but I live in the creator economy. I built my blog Bathtubber from the ground up, and for a while, it helped me earn a solid income doing what I love.
🎓 So a word to creative graduates
- Make the best of this time!
No one expects much of you. So go stealth. Experiment as much as possible. Find an influencer who does what you’d love to do. Binge their free YouTube videos and even take an online course. Learn to build something of your own. - Embrace AI
While companies use AI to replace entry-level roles, you can use it to leapfrog your competition. Learn the tools your future boss is ignoring—and collect a few AI certifications to add to your LinkedIn profile.
- Share your creative journey
Go public with your creativity by starting something small. Use an image creation tool like Midjouney or Ideogram to create printable puzzles that you advertise on Etsy. Or take your filmmaking to the next level with tools like Runway or Sora. Then share your triumphs and trials on a YouTube channel.
You are a creator and that means you need to create. Even while you wait tables and crank out resumes to apply for “real jobs,” nourish your creativity. Things may be B-L-E-A-K—but they can be G-R-E-A-T, too.