The class of 2020 is likely to face one of the bleakest job markets in recent memory with millions of people recently laid off from their jo...
The class of 2020 is likely to face one of the bleakest job markets in recent memory with millions of people recently laid off from their jobs and uncertainty over when any kind of normalcy will return.
But before this year's graduates go out into the job market, these next few weeks will see them graduate.
Some universities and colleges are postponing or cancelling ceremonies altogether while others are getting creative and holding online graduations or even drive-by celebrations.
The coronavirus outbreak is denting the prospects of this year's graduating class. With a record 30 million Americans applying for unemployment and countless number of firms carrying out furloughs, many students may simply have to pack up their belongings and head back home just as the corporate recruitment season usually swings into high gear.
Arel Neuenschwander has her mortar board decorated with flowers and a Bible verse while taking photos with her family in front of Ohio Stadium, Sunday, May 3, 2020. Neuenschwander graduated with a degree in international studies. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Ohio State University held a virtual commencement at the stadium
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate students Molly Felty, right, and Lauren Watkins take turns photographing themselves in their caps and gowns in front of the UTC sign in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Spring 2020 Commencement ceremonies are postponed to August 7 and 8 due to the coronavirus pandemic
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate students Molly Felty, second left, Lauren Watkins, and Linden Taber, left
Ceciley Hallman Herod presents her brother Joseph Hallman with a copy of a diploma during a mock commencement ceremony in their parents' Sugar House home amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday
The Hallman family hosts a mock commencement ceremony for their University of Utah graduate in their home
Ceciley Hallman Herod directs her brother Joseph Hallman to turn his tassel during a mock commencement ceremony. Hallman earned bachelor's degrees in Latin American studies, Spanish and international business with an emphasis in trade commerce in 2019 with hopes of walking during the spring 2020 commencement ceremony
Graduates are worrying less about catching the virus than the impact it will have on their careers as company-organized recruiting events have been canceled amid nationwide bans on public gatherings to avoid the spread of disease.
With many firms hit hard by a collapse in consumption and shedding workers already, students trying to get their foot on the ladder are bracing for an unusually competitive market.
Many companies are rescinding internships and some are revoking job offers.
Carly Rogers, a senior at the University of Florida, was hoping to start a PR career with Edelman in New York City after graduating but the entire scheme was cancelled.
'It was just like a surreal moment, like, "Oh, you did it,"' Rogers said to ABC News. 'That's a really hard conversation to have.'
Rogers was hoping the trainee scheme would eventually lead to a full-time position.
Graduates remain in their cars while participating in a senior graduation car parade on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa, Florida. Because they cannot celebrate their traditional graduation, they came together as a class and drove through campus where they were greeted by the school's staff and family to mark their milestone day
Math and English teacher Anne Mikos, of Tampa, places a decoration on her car while attending the senior graduation car parade on Friday, May 1, 2020, at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa
Parents, family and friends observe social distancing guidelines while attending the senior graduation car parade on Friday. At right are Pamela Salmon with her four-year-old grandson Jonathan Salmon, who were attending to support Jonathan's sister, Maddie Boos
Senior Nicole Stephan, 17, of Tampa, displays FSU regalia while participating in a senior graduation car parade on Friday
Linda White stands in her driveway in her cap and gown as she celebrates graduating with a bachelor's degree of science in elementary education and special education from Grand Canyon University during the coronavirus outbreak
Linda White parades in her cap and gown in front of neighbors as she celebrates graduating with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education from Grand Canyon University
Linda White kisses her husband, Gregory, as she celebrates graduating with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education
Linda White gives an air hug to neighbor Jordan Swift while wearing her cap and gown as she celebrates graduating
White would have gone to a graduation ceremony in Arizona if not for the stay-at-home restrictions due to the coronavirus
Linda White, right, wears her cap and gown as she accepts a gift from her son Michael White while celebrating graduating
'It does concern me that, not only do I not have an internship now, but I also had a potential full-time offer coming,' Rogers said. 'It's additional stress.
'The job market after graduation is already filled with so many applicants, but the fact that over one million internship programs are estimated to be cut, and a lot of entry level positions are cut, it's even harder,' Rogers said.
'You still have the same amount of applicants, but now you have even less job postings and a lot more limitations to what you can do.'
But before the job search begins in earnest, a season of unusual graduations.
Ohio State University held a virtual commencement at a local football stadium on Sunday in what was arguably the most the unusual ceremony in its 150-year history.
Usually, the spring commencement ceremony would have seen nearly 13,000 graduates head to Ohio Stadium for a ceremony full of pomp and circumstance.
This year, a virtual ceremony was held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Linda White, right, wears her cap and gown as she accepts a gift from Diane Ferry while celebrating
Family and friends drive up to help Linda White celebrate graduating with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and special education from Grand Canyon University during the coronavirus outbreak in Simi Valley, California
Family and friends drive by to help Linda White, foreground, celebrate graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree
Linda White, right, gets a hug from her granddaughter Evelyn White while wearing her cap and gown
Linda White poses with a sign made for her by while wearing her own as she celebrates her unusual graduation
Family and friends drive by to help Linda White celebrate graduating with a Bachelor of Science
Students were understandably disappointed but it was a situation entirely beyond their and the university's control.
'It was so weird,' Arel Neuenschwanderl said to the Columbus Dispatch, who majored in international studies.
'It's still a celebration. The accomplishment is still there,' Arel's father, James said. 'It's kind of a bummer, but it's still filled with joy.'
Inside the stadium, President Michael V. Drake delivered his commencement speech to empty seats while the speaker, CEO of Apple Tim Cook, teleconferenced in.
'I hope you wear these uncommon circumstances as a badge of honor,' Cook said.
'Think anew. Act anew. Build a better future than the one you thought was certain,' Cook said. 'And, in a fearful time, call us once again to hope.'
'Years from now, when you look back on your contributions to the world, this will be your history,' President Drake said. 'As we today look forward, you are our future.'
Linda White, third from right, poses with family and friends as she wears her cap and gown while celebrating
Linda White stands in her driveway in her cap, gown and a face mask as she celebrates graduating
Caroline Rice puts on a cap and gown in front of Ohio Stadium, Sunday, May 3, while tailgating with her family to watch the virtual commencement exercises broadcast by Ohio State University during the coronavirus pandemic
Caroline Rice, right, sits in her cap and gown in front of Ohio Stadium on Sunday in a most unusual graduation ceremony
Stefanie and Bruce Rice watch Ohio State University's virtual commencement exercises on a laptop
Bruce Rice watches Ohio State University's virtual commencement exercises on his computer
Caroline Rice poses for photos in her cap and gown and 'Grad' glasses while tailgating with her family. She graduated with bachelor's degrees in journalism and education with a minor in Spanish
Commencement ceremonies for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga were rescheduled for August due to the ongoing pandemic.
'Walking across a stage and receiving a diploma is a momentous occasion for students, their family and friends, and the many members of the UTC faculty and staff that were part of the academic journey,' UTC Chancellor Steven Angle and Provost Jerold Hale said in the email to the Times Free Press.
'UTC graduates earned their degrees and deserve a warm handshake, a pat on the back and a huge 'well done!' We are all looking forward to congratulating our Spring 2020 graduates.'
The university surveyed graduating senior and graduate seniors for their thoughts on how and when to hold commencement ceremonies.
'An August celebration was far-and-away the most popular. It will be an absolute honor to host these festivities commemorating our students' achievements. The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted operations at UTC, and we are continuously monitoring CDC guidelines. We know this is an uncertain and frustrating time.'
Ohio State graduate Caroline Rice laughs after opening a graduation gift of toilet paper. Luckily she appeared to have a sense of humor!
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Ohio State University held a virtual commencement at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake delivered his spring commencement speech to an empty stadium
Ohio State University graduate Hannah Portmann, far left, of Cincinnati, poses for an 'O-H-I-O' photo with her sister Hailey Portmann, father Doug Portmann and mother Sandie Portmann as well as Maysie the family dog
Arel Neuenschwander of Granville poses for photos for her mother Colleen Neuenschwander in front of Ohio Stadium
Forrest Lang drinks beer from a bottle while posing for photos in his cap and gown in front of Ohio Stadium. Lang graduated with a degree in food, agriculture and biological sciences
Mike Fenstermaker Jr. poses for photos in a cap and gown from his high school graduation in front of Ohio Stadium before Ohio State University held a virtual commencement. Fenstermaker graduated with a degree in civil engineering
At the University of Utah, the first-ever virtual graduation ceremony was carried out. The university is hoping to host individual college and departmental ceremonies in December.
For the University of Florida and Florida State University, a number of virtual celebrations happened this weekend with ceremonies taking place over Zoom video conferencing and in people's living rooms.
Canceling commencement can carry financial implications for schools. Some spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on ceremonies featuring celebrity speakers, dining spreads and other displays of pomp and circumstance.
It's rare but not unprecedented for colleges to cancel graduations. Universities across the nation scrapped ceremonies in 1970 amid protests over the Vietnam War. More recently, ceremonies in Florida and Texas have been halted amid dangerous storms, but they were later rescheduled.
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