A 21-year-old graduate in the United Kingdom (UK) has shared his frustration after spending more than Rs 1 crore on higher education but failing to secure a job despite submitting around 500 applications. His story has sparked discussion about the difficulties many young graduates face in today’s job market.
Top of the class, yet no offer
Khaled Sharif, who studied Digital Media Technology at Kingston University near London, said he graduated at the top of his class in 2025. However, nearly a year later, he is still searching for full-time work. Despite applying for hundreds of positions, he said he has not received a single job offer.
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As per the reports of NDTV, Sharif said he attended fewer than 20 interviews from those 500 applications. He also widened his search beyond his preferred field and applied for sales roles and other positions he had not originally planned to pursue, as per the reports of NDTV.
‘The system is broken’
As per NDTV, speaking about the situation, Sharif said, "The system is broken." He described the job market as being flooded with applicants, making it harder for graduates to stand out.
He also said, "It does make me really upset. It's really stressful. I got top-of-my-class, but I can't find anything."
According to him, many others are facing similar problems. He said after posting about his experience on TikTok, people with master’s degrees also responded, saying they were unable to find work.
Costly degree, tough reality
Sharif estimated that his degree cost around $125,000, including tuition fees and living expenses, which is over Rs 1 crore in Indian currency. International students at Kingston University reportedly pay annual tuition fees of around $30,000
While disappointed with the outcome so far, he said his time at university still taught him valuable life lessons. At the same time, he admitted that much of his practical knowledge came from work experience, volunteering, and online learning rather than the classroom.
Turning to freelancing
Until he finds a full-time role, Sharif has continued working as a freelance videographer and photographer. He has also launched his own clothing brand called Zoqué, combining his interests in fashion and photography.
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Sharif’s story reflects wider concerns about graduate employment in a competitive market. Rising education costs, more applicants, and changing hiring trends have made it tougher for many young job seekers to begin their careers.
