You worked hard for your degree. Your family sacrificed for it. And now you’re home, sending applications, refreshing your inbox, and answering the same question from every relative: “So, what are you doing now?”
If that sounds familiar, you are far from alone, and it is not a sign that something is wrong with you.
The numbers behind the feeling
India’s Periodic Labour Force Survey found that 9.9% of people aged 15 to 29 were unemployed in 2025. In towns and cities the figure was 13.6% (MoSPI).
Education doesn’t always protect young people from this. The ILO’s India Employment Report 2024 found that young people made up 82.9% of India’s unemployed in 2022, and that the unemployment rate among young graduates was 29.1%, far higher than among people with less formal education (Fortune).
Kerala, with its high levels of education, has had some of the highest youth unemployment of any state (Deccan Herald). Many young people here are qualified, capable and still waiting.
Why being stuck hurts so much
Being without work, or stuck in work that doesn’t fit, affects far more than income. It can bring:
- Loss of routine and purpose: days blur together, and it becomes harder to get started on anything
- Comparison: social media shows friends’ job offers, weddings and trips abroad, rarely their doubts
- Family pressure: parents’ worry can come across as criticism, even when it comes from love
- Self-doubt: each rejection can feel like proof that you’re not good enough
- Anxiety and low mood: trouble sleeping, irritability, or wanting to avoid people altogether
These are understandable reactions to a hard situation. They are also worth taking seriously, because they can make it harder to take the next step.
Small steps that can help
- Keep a simple daily structure. A regular time to wake up, a short walk and a fixed time for applications can make the days feel less shapeless.
- Separate effort from outcome. You can control how many applications you send and how you prepare. You can’t control every result.
- Talk to your family about how you feel, not only about your plans. Many parents are worried too and don’t know how to help.
- Limit comparison. Notice when scrolling leaves you feeling worse, and take breaks from it.
- Learn something small and useful. A short course or project can rebuild momentum and confidence.
- Practise pausing. A few minutes of slow breathing or a short mindfulness practice can help when worry starts to spiral.
When talking to someone can help
Sometimes it helps to talk to someone outside the family who isn’t invested in a particular answer. Career counselling gives you a confidential space to understand your strengths and values, make sense of your options, deal with pressure from others, and plan small, realistic steps. It can also help with the anxiety and self-doubt that often come with being stuck.
VK Therapy offers career counselling for students and graduates aged 18 and over, online across India or in person in Palakkad. Sessions are available in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu. Career counselling won’t find you a job, but it can help you think more clearly and move forward in a way that feels right for you.
If you’d like to talk, you can book an appointment.
If you need urgent help
If you’re in distress in India, you can call Tele-MANAS, the government’s free 24-hour mental health helpline, on 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. In an emergency, call 112.
