Law student Rishab, 21, has good reason to be very concerned about life after university. A total of 8,4% of the UK population is now unemployed – the highest rate since 1995 - and last November the jobless total among 16 to 24-year-olds surpassed 1 million, accounting for 21.9 per cent of the workforce in that age group.
In spite of his uncertain job prospects, Rishab is choosing not to be negatively influenced by the headlines and staying optimistic instead.
Fellow graduate Michael Ross agrees that maintaining a positive attitude is crucial in the current job climate. The 24-year-old from South-East London studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Hertfordshire and has been looking for a job in his field for almost a year now.
It has been a turbulent journey with many ups and downs, yet Michael has learned that his outlook on the employment situation depends on whether he is "in tune with God" or not.
"When my relationship with God is good I feel more comfortable about myself. I am more motivated and do not feel depressed about my future," he says.
Instead of pondering his situation, he prays and leaves it to God, trusting that "it is just a matter of time". His faith helps him "to be more positive", he acknowledges.
It is not uncommon for the lengthy job hunt to impact on a person's self-perception. Many experience phases of depression because they feel like a failure and or believe they are not skilled enough.
Durriyyah Johnson, 27, quips that she could write a book about the frustration she experienced while looking for a job.
As a graduate in German language and literature, and architecture, the young woman from Washington DC expected to find a job soon after leaving university. However, nothing worked out the way she had hoped for. In her despair and disappointment, she became angry with God, feeling let down by Him.
"Whenever I was not chosen for a position I felt rejected as a person. I always asked myself what was wrong with me and why employers did not pick me," she recalls.
In the end, it took her almost a year to find a job.
"It was a time which humbled me because you depend so much on God and have no control at all," she reflects.
She witnessed how He met all her needs while she was without work and, in retrospect, she acknowledges that she always felt assured of a positive outcome. It was only when she wanted to act out of her own strength that she lost her calm. But somehow she knew that God would place her where He wanted her to be.
Being confident about God's will for his life, Michael is also encouraged "because I know that I will get there somehow".
Rishab too understands his career as part of God's plan. He trusts in God's favour, being certain that "He will provide me with a job, no matter how bad the job market looks".
