Anxious College Students Seek Radical Change Amidst Economic and Global Uncertainty

College students grappling with economic anxieties and a volatile global landscape are increasingly disillusioned with the traditional political system, leading many to seek radical change and support disruptive candidates. The present looks bleak and the future uncertain for numerous students, fueling a restlessness with a national political system they perceive as incapable of improving their lives.

Frankie Llerandi, a 21-year-old economics major at Michigan State University, faces difficulties securing internships and anticipates challenges in achieving milestones like homeownership or starting a family, common struggles for his peers.

"It’s kind of hard to look at that and say, ‘This world is a great place,’" said Kira Saiti, a 19-year-old sophomore, referring to images of violence and global conflict she encounters daily. Julian Bautista, 20, sees his chosen field of environmental work undermined by political decisions and plans to leave the U.S. for work in the Netherlands. "Throughout my life, we’ve either stagnated or declined, we haven’t improved,” Bautista stated, viewing the U.S. as a failing democracy led by corrupt politicians.

This pervasive anxiety is translating into support for progressive, anti-establishment Democratic candidates. In Michigan, students are backing figures like Abdul El-Sayed, running for U.S. Senate, and Will Lawrence, a liberal activist challenging Republican Congressman Tom Barrett.

While economic indicators for young adults are not universally dire—the unemployment rate for those aged 22 to 27 is 7.2%—factors such as high housing prices, rising costs for essentials, and a challenging job market contribute to their concerns. An economist who co-authored a study suggesting Generation Z is poised to be wealthier than millennials acknowledges the unique uncertainties faced by today's youth, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence on industries and longer timelines for achieving traditional adulthood markers.

Unemployment among recent college graduates stands at 5.6%, higher than in most recent historical periods outside the Great Recession. Coupled with elevated housing costs and increasing prices for food and healthcare, this creates a difficult environment, according to economist Kathryn Edwards.

Young people are also navigating a new job search landscape dominated by AI and online platforms, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate opportunities from scams. "They’re always coming in here going, ‘Is this real?’" noted Marla McGraw, assistant dean of career management at Michigan State's business school, highlighting the prevalence of fake job postings.

Surveys indicate a significant drop in young Americans' optimism about the job market and a widening gap between their economic views and those of older generations. Some research suggests younger generations are less engaged in politics and less inclined to see voting as important.

This disillusionment worries some, like Karlee VanAntwerp, a 21-year-old senior and head of a local conservative group. She observes a tendency for Gen Z to hold more extreme views, making cross-party collaboration difficult. VanAntwerp also points to the cyclical nature of policy changes, where one administration's actions are often reversed by the next, contributing to a sense that little progress is made. "It feels like we always go in circles. That contributes to the political temperature being so high, because people feel nothing changes."

Despite differing political affiliations, a shared desire for dramatic change is evident. Lawrence, speaking to students, acknowledged his own past desire to withdraw from society and highlighted the role of organizing in providing direction. However, for students like Bautista, the feeling of despair persists, fueled by a perception that current leaders do not adequately represent their constituents and that more significant actions are urgently needed.