Columbia Hosts Grad Expo as U.S. Jobs Rise
Columbia's second annual Grad Expo helped graduating students as federal data showed paid employment rising and unemployment falling to 4.1%.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Employment
Live Poll
Do you think the job market is getting better for new graduates?
Columbia held its second annual Grad Expo for graduating students on Thursday, Nov. 12, on the first floor of the Student Center. The event came as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported paid employment rose by 165,000 jobs and the national unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%.
Why it matters
The expo offered practical help for students entering the job market, including degree audits, commencement information and graduation headshots. Even as headline employment improved, the creative industries have shed jobs, which bears on graduates preparing for careers in those fields.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported paid employment rose by 165,000 jobs and unemployment fell to 4.1%, while the U.S. lost more than 200,000 creative industry jobs over the past four years. Roughly 50,000 of those creative jobs were lost in the last year, and the report does not address what share of the decline is tied to automation.
The players
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The federal agency that publishes the nation's monthly employment and unemployment statistics, including the monthly jobs report cited in this story.
The details
Students at the Grad Expo received help with degree audits, commencement information and graduation headshots. Devontae Anderson, a senior acting major, said companies use automation to conduct interviews and review resumes, while generative AI is increasingly used to create media, reducing demand for human creative work.
Timeline
Friday, Nov. 6: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the national unemployment rate fell to 4.1%.
Thursday, Nov. 12: Columbia held its second annual Grad Expo.
Past four years: The U.S. lost more than 200,000 creative industry jobs.
Season Trajectory
The rise in paid employment reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics runs alongside the multi-year loss of more than 200,000 creative industry jobs. For Columbia graduates, the national picture shows overall hiring improving while the creative fields they may be entering continue to contract.
Graduating students in Columbia can use campus resources such as degree audits and commencement guidance to finish on schedule. Job seekers should expect automated interview and resume screening, and creative-field applicants face a shrinking pool of openings.
The takeaway
Headline job growth does not guarantee openings in every field, so graduates should research sector trends before choosing a career path. Preparing resumes for automated screening can help applicants move through early hiring stages.
Further reading
For more on the jobs picture behind this story, see Employment coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Columbia Chronicle.
Live Poll
Do you think the job market is getting better for new graduates?
