Ask HN: I'm an MIT senior and still unemployed – and so are most of my friends

A few thoughts:

0. It's not you, it's the job market and economic cycle. Many companies aren't hiring much at the moment because of economic uncertainty and unrealistic enthusiasm about AI-fueled automation. But the good (?) news is they are trying to cut costs by laying off senior people and hiring junior people like you. Keep applying.

1. You could lean into the EE side of things. Analog and digital design are still needed as we move into the era of RISC-V, robotics, AR/VR, self-driving cars, etc. You likely have a decent project portfolio already from your coursework. Also power engineering and efficiency are important at all scales.

2. An MEng from MIT (or another good school/program) would probably be interesting, challenging and fun, and you'd pick up some additional skills. It would also enable you to apply for internships, which can be easier to get than full-time/"permanent" positions, and can lead to the latter. Try to get teaching or research assistantships to avoid or reduce debt (even if it takes longer, it's worth it.) And you could potentially do a Ph.D. later on if it turns out that you like research.

3. Economic downturns can be good times to start companies because there are more people on the job market. Also you may be able to get good deals on office and lab space and equipment if you need it.

4. If you can't join a startup as a co-founder, you may be able to join as staff. Make sure they pay you a salary though.

5. Look into temporary or contract work, or any job you can get that pays money, ideally enough for food and rent in a starving student type shared residence. Then keep looking for something better.

I absolutely second that - MIT students of 70's, 80's and even early 90's were from different social class, demographics and personality types, than todays students.

Today, MIT is nothing but a shadow of its better known academic cartel up the Mass ave. Those who hire MIT students know that and plan accordingly. The only reason to hire MIT students is for branding propaganda, you get nothing more from them.

That's only true of the ones on ROTC or similar military related programs, everyone else goes straight to Wall Street, big tech, or MBB or med school.

At the annual Fall job fair, 80% of students queue up to less than 10% of employers. Most companies never show up because it's simply not worth the cost and time to try to recruit spoiled brats of MIT

This is just old school fatherly advice, which doesn't represent today's reality at anywhere, let alone at MIT.

Most profs these days, went to grad school right out of college and never stepped foot in the industry. If they've had any contact within industry it's through some R&D grant with other PhDs. A few are in start-ups which means they only hire interns for $20/hr, and fresh off the boat indians and asians grad students.

Small or local companies don't want and can't pay salary of MIT grads; they've plenty of salt-of-the-earth local engineering school grads to chose from.

The most important skills you've gained from your education so far is the ability to learn and process. Take any tech related job you can right now, don't be picky. Strive to excel in whatever that job is and not just from the tech standpoint; the business and the processes are equally important. Keep your eye on the horizon for what role it is you really want but be aware that that goal might change over time.

And keep in talking to your friends. Who knows if between the lot of you, you've already thought of the next big thing.