Impact of Remote Work on Employment of Young College Graduates

The emergence of remote work since the pandemic has led to a hesitation among businesses to hire young, inexperienced workers. This trend has significantly contributed to higher unemployment rates for recent college graduates. A study released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York highlights this issue.

Study Findings on Remote Work

The study compared occupations that can be performed remotely, like software development, with those requiring physical presence, such as nursing. It found that the unemployment rate for young college graduates in remote-capable jobs increased by about 1 percentage point from 2017-2019 to 2022-2024. However, older workers in these same fields experienced a slight decrease in unemployment.

In jobs that require physical presence, there is little difference in unemployment rates between younger and older college graduates. This trend is echoed among those without college degrees, according to the study led by New York Fed research economist Natalia Emanuel.

Challenges Faced by New Graduates

The reluctance to hire new college graduates for remote positions stems from difficulties in providing adequate training and mentorship. Remote work accounts for nearly two-thirds of the rise in unemployment rates for young college graduates since the pandemic began.

“Remote work has weakened incentives to hire young workers by impeding on-the-job training,” the study noted. “Employers may not want to hire fresh graduates onto distributed teams because it is more difficult to teach them the requisite skills from afar.”

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

The study also addresses concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence on employment prospects for college graduates. Although AI is making inroads into various white-collar jobs, the study found that AI has not significantly impacted youth unemployment. The rising unemployment rates for young college graduates preceded the development of AI tools like ChatGPT.

Between the pre-pandemic period and 2022-2025, the unemployment rate for college graduates under 29 increased by 20%, averaging 3.7%. For those aged 22 through 27, unemployment reached 5.8% last year, which is the highest rate since 2012, excluding the pandemic period.

Insights from a Fortune 500 Tech Company

In examining data from a Fortune 500 tech company, the study found that their hiring practices reflected the broader trends observed. During remote work periods, the company hired fewer inexperienced workers, opting for those requiring less mentorship. Once the offices reopened, they resumed hiring younger workers, but still preferred experienced workers for teams involving remote work.