Dezmond Rosier, a 22-year-old Howard University senior, had planned to launch his career in the federal government. Graduating with a political science degree and an economics minor, he aimed to join the Department of Education. But President Donald Trump’s push to dismantle the department and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives forced him to pivot. As a first-generation college student, Rosier felt disheartened by the administration’s moves.
“I can’t be part of a system where I don’t feel wanted,” he said. Instead, he’s turning to grassroots politics in Maryland, leveraging his experience on the Maryland Democratic Central Committee to focus on the upcoming gubernatorial election.
Rosier is among four Black students who shared with NBC News the challenges of entering a job market marked by DEI rollbacks, reduced emphasis on recruiting Black talent, and a broader hiring slowdown. The unemployment rate for new college graduates rose to 5.8% in March 2025, up from 4.6% a year earlier, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Walter Pearson, CEO of College Bound Parenting, which supports Black students in securing jobs, noted a sharp decline in success rates. Typically, 90% of his students land jobs; this year, only 50% have. Many students told NBC News they’re graduating without job offers, uncertain about a future where the absence of DEI protections might leave them overlooked.
A Syracuse University student, who requested anonymity to protect his career, secured a summer internship but remains wary. “DEI has been twisted to imply Black people don’t deserve jobs,” he said. While his internship company emphasizes diversity, he fears such commitments may fade, along with tangible support for Black employees.
Funding cuts tied to DEI restrictions are also limiting research opportunities. Grey Snyder, a 26-year-old psychology senior at the University of Missouri, uses they/them pronouns and hopes to secure a lab position for their gap year. However, grant uncertainty stemming from Trump’s DEI executive order left the role in limbo. Snyder noted that fields like psychological sciences, especially those studying marginalized groups, are hit hard. If a cognitive neuroscience lab role doesn’t materialize, they’ll return to a paraprofessional job at an elementary school.
Social media and student networks buzz with stories of peers losing internships or research positions due to similar cuts. “It’s tough to study the populations that need it most,” Snyder said.
Career adviser Daniel Catalan suggests students avoid terms like “Black,” “BIPOC,” or “DEI” on résumés to navigate Trump’s directives. Victoria Pearson, a 22-year-old Howard University senior studying media, journalism, and film, dismissed the idea of downplaying her education at a historically Black university. “I’m not changing anything,” she said. “I want to be where I’m valued.”
The Syracuse student echoed this, refusing to omit his membership in the National Association of Black Journalists. “It’s something to be proud of, not hidden,” he said.
Louise Ross, a director at College Bound Parenting with 30 years of HR experience, encourages creative job-search strategies. She advises students to tap entrepreneurial skills, connect with community organizations, reach out to alumni, and leverage networks like the Divine Nine Black fraternities and sororities. “These students survived Covid,” Ross said. “They can navigate this DEI challenge.”
Despite a tougher market, these graduates remain resilient, seeking roles where their talents and identities are embraced.