As more than 1,800 FAMU students and recent graduates streamed into the Al Lawson Center in mid-February for the university’s annual Career & Internship Expo, they carried not just résumés, but the weight of a daunting national outlook. The job market awaiting the Class of 2026 is projected to be the most challenging in years, with hiring expected to grow just 1.6% over the previous year, the most conservative forecast since the pandemic.
Against this backdrop, nearly 200 employers still came, many drawn by what they call the distinctive preparation and professionalism of FAMU graduates. But the stakes were palpable. A recent National Association of Colleges and Employers survey found more than half of employers rate the job market for new graduates as poor or fair, the most pessimistic outlook since 2020.
“It absolutely is the caring with excellence that FAMU provides that keeps us coming back,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brianna Vegas of the U.S. Coast Guard, herself an alumna. Like many recruiters present, she emphasized that in a cooling economy, companies are prioritizing candidates with experience, technical skills, and AI proficiency over academic pedigree alone.
The event itself was tailored for endurance. A new student lounge offered breakfast and hydration stations, a nod to the reality that students often skip meals to network. “We wanted to give them a little extra protein to help them stay fueled,” said Tamara K. Taylor, director of the Career and Professional Development Center.
For many, the expo was a critical opportunity to stand out not only to employers, but against a growing pool of competitors that now includes recently laid-off junior professionals. Major firms from Amazon to Verizon have announced sweeping cuts in recent months, deepening uncertainty for those entering the workforce.
Ceasar Mackee, a 2024 FAMU graduate who now recruits for Cintas, understands the shift better than most. He started as an intern. “FAMU’s rigorous work really prepared me,” he said. “Everything I did as an intern prepared me for my full-time role.” Now, he returns to scout for talent that can adapt quickly, a necessity in an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping entry-level tasks.
Students like Cornelius Pace, a graduate architecture student set to finish in May, is acutely aware of the fierce competition. “You didn’t see all these companies online,” he said. “It’s very important to actually show up.” He left with three target employers in mind, a small but meaningful advantage in a tight field.
As the event wound down, the atmosphere was one of determined optimism. Résumés had been exchanged, connections made, and for a few hours, the pressures of the national hiring climate felt softened by the solidarity of the Rattler network.
One message resonated above the murmur of conversations: in a flatlining job market, showing up—with polish, purpose, and professional poise, might just be what makes all the difference.