ZipRecruiter 2026 found 75% of graduates are considering entrepreneurship or freelancing. The ambition is real. The preparation usually is not. Here is exactly what separates the graduates who build something from those who are still thinking about starting.
The best reason to start freelancing at
university is not the income. Freelancing
builds a portfolio, real professional skills
and a track record that a degree alone can never provide — and university is the single best time in your life to build it.
Handshake 2026 found 62% of graduates feel pessimistic about their career prospects — up from 46% just two years ago. The 38% who feel confident are not more talented. They are better prepared. Here is exactly what they did differently during their degree.
The UK granted 412,000 study visas this year.
Each one represents a family investment of
up to £100,000. But once these students land,
who is actually looking after them?
The CEO of Randstad — the world’s largest
recruitment company — says the traditional university-to-office path is over. Here is what UK students actually need to build to compete in the 2026 job market.
Most students wait until graduation to start
planning their career. The students who thrive in today’s job market start building from Year One — and the gap between the two groups is preparation, not talent.
