For a growing number of Gen Z graduates, the real world after university isn’t unfolding as expected. Some young men with multiple degrees are finding themselves locked out of the job market, and one of them, a 27-year-old from Edinburgh known as Joshy B on TikTok, says that life on benefits can be more exhausting than a full-time job.
In a series of viral videos, Joshy explains that since graduating with a master’s in business in October, he’s been unemployed, constantly applying for jobs, and struggling to get interviews. Competing with over 100 applicants for low-wage, entry-level roles, he now regrets investing so much time into academia.
“I could have been working in a warehouse and got a promotion or two, in the time it took to do that masters,” he says. “Probably would have given me more of an advantage.”
Applying for Benefits Is a Job of Its Own
Joshy’s TikTok posts have resonated with many in similar positions. He reveals that although he wants to work, he’s forced to spend his days tracking job applications and preparing for mandatory weekly meetings to justify the £400 ($497) a month he receives in unemployment support.
“It’s a full-time job trying to claim benefits, with none of the positives,” he says.
The process, he adds, is so overwhelming that “most workers would have a breakdown” trying to manage it. His experience echoes a broader shift happening across the UK. Government data shows that in 2014, 94% of graduates found a job or pursued further education within a year.
A decade later, that figure has fallen dramatically. Only 59% of grads had full-time jobs 15 months after finishing university in 2024. Educated men, in particular, are being hit hardest, joining a rising cohort known as NEETs – individuals not in employment, education, or training.
Men Falling Behind in the Workforce
The disparity between male and female graduates is becoming increasingly pronounced. While young women are steadily increasing their participation in the workforce, the opposite is happening for their male counterparts. Some experts believe this shift reflects different strategies in how young men and women approach today’s job market.
Lewis Maleh, CEO of recruitment agency Bentley Lewis, has observed that many women have adjusted their expectations and widened their job search. Men, on the other hand, appear more likely to hold out for ideal opportunities that tick every box.
He points out that traditionally male-dominated sectors such as finance and tech have been particularly affected by the economic climate, making job searches in those areas even tougher.
“I also think there’s still this outdated idea of what kind of work is ‘acceptable’ for men,” Maleh says.
Some are reluctant to accept jobs they see as beneath their qualifications, even if it means staying unemployed. Combined with the difficult and time-consuming process of accessing benefits, many young men are being left discouraged and without a clear path forward.
The Toll of Rejection and Broken Expectations
The anecdotes don’t end with Joshy. Max Onken, another Gen Zer, spent six months applying to 20 jobs a day—hundreds of applications in total—with almost no response. He eventually scaled back his efforts after realizing that many of the listings were “completely bust.”
Law graduate James Harrison spent 15 months job hunting and was even turned down for a barista position at Caffè Nero before finally landing a role as a paralegal.
Across the Atlantic, American graduates are experiencing similar struggles. Hunter Howell, 22, with a business administration degree, submitted more than 1,700 applications over 10 months.
Only one resulted in a full-time offer. These stories highlight just how widespread and severe the employment crisis is for young, educated men.
In response to mounting frustration and growing pessimism, Maleh encourages Gen Z men to shift their mindset. “It’s tough entering the workforce with that kind of pressure,” he says.
“I always tell them there’s so much value in trying different things in your 20s. Your early career is about exploring and learning… You have all those social media posts about overnight success.”
For many, though, the current job climate is making that advice hard to follow.