I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management, summa cum laude, and a 3.95 GPA, but I’m feeling lost in my job search. I’ve been applying for entry-level positions like Patient Access Representative and Patient Services Representative, which typically only require a high school diploma. Despite my qualifications, I’m struggling to secure any of these roles because employers prefer candidates with direct experience. It’s frustrating to think that after investing four years in my education, I’m now being told that I need to start at the bottom to gain experience, which seems counterintuitive. My cousin, who has a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, is facing a similar issue—he can’t even land basic entry-level jobs due to a lack of experience. This cycle of needing experience to get a job, but needing a job to gain experience, feels like a trap. I was led to believe that my degree would open doors, but now it seems like internships and networking are what truly matter. I didn’t work so hard for my GPA just to find out it holds little value in the job market. I appreciate everyone who took the time to read my rant. I hope everyone stays healthy and safe; I know firsthand how challenging life can be without good health.