Despair over future fuels political anxiety for college students on the cusp of adulthood

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Frankie Llerandi, a 21-year-old recent graduate from Michigan State University, has been unable to secure an internship despite three years of university. His desire for an internship reflects the anxiety of many college students nearing adulthood. Most of his peers have not yet bought homes or started families, with some even looking abroad for work.

Kira Saiti, a 19-year-old sophomore, is concerned about the violence and horror she sees on social media, questioning whether the world is a great place. Julian Bautista, a 20-year-old environmental work enthusiast, plans to leave the United States to work in the Netherlands due to job cuts under the Trump administration. Many students feel that the present is bleak and the future uncertain.

Their anxiety is influencing their political views, with progressive, anti-establishment Democratic candidates gaining support. These students worry about their job prospects, homeownership, and the overall state of the economy. Despite the challenges, a recent study suggests that younger generations, known as Generation Z, may end up wealthier than previous ones.

However, the path to success is not as clear-cut as it was for previous generations, leaving many young people uncertain about their future.