An Indian-origin college graduate’s failed attempt to find a job at a supermarket has raised new questions about whether the job market is failing young people.Raksha Hegde, 21, from Australia, caught the attention of netizens when she revealed that she was rejected for a part-time retail assistant position while trying to support herself while studying for a master’s degree. Her experience sparked a debate about graduate underemployment and the value of higher education in today’s job market.In an Instagram video, Hegde said she couldn’t believe she was rejected, especially given her academic background.“Man, I just got rejected for a retail assistant position. Cashier basically!” Hegde said in an Instagram video.She added: “I’ve completed a three-year degree and am working on a master’s degree, but I can’t find a job.” You mean I went to college for three years only to be rejected as a cashier? “‘You know what? For me to get a two-year master’s degree and then spend more money to get a degree so that I can’t find a job after investing so much time, money and investment in school, college… but they don’t want to hire me,” Hegde added.She concluded: “Are you fucking kidding me? Is the job market so doomed?Some social media users said having a higher education sometimes works against candidates for such jobs. Users say retail employers may worry that overqualified applicants will leave quickly for better opportunities, making them less attractive to recruit.Others point out that supermarket roles tend to focus less on formal education and more on practical factors such as availability, flexibility and attitude. Employers may prioritize candidates who are committed for the long term rather than those who are still learning or aiming for a corporate career. This is why these companies prefer to hire unemployed or less qualified applicants.
