There are so many incredible benefits of going to college: You can develop a sense of self, make lifelong friends and connections, discover new ways of thinking, and learn about the world around you. But let’s not kid ourselves — after years of late-night study sessions, nerve-wracking presentations, and intense final exams, we all hope our hard work will lead to the tangible end result of landing a well-paying job we actually like. 

Ahead of the 2024 graduation season, we asked over 560 Gen Zers about the post-grad job search — including their hopes, fears, and lingering questions. Their responses provided the inspo for the stories in this guide, which include tips for networking and writing cover letters, a roundup of unconventional ways grads have found career opportunities, and a cautionary tale about job search scams. Now let’s get to work.