Cambridge scholar struggles to land job, faces over 70 rejections, says 'job market is rough'

In October of the previous year, Marika joyfully announced on Instagram that she had successfully completed her PhD in Physics at Cambridge after four years of rigorous study. To many, her qualification seemed to guarantee a lucrative career in the STEM field. Yet, reality painted a different picture.

Instead of stepping seamlessly into a rewarding job, Marika encountered a prolonged and arduous job hunt, enduring over 70 rejections along the way.

«I never imagined the job search would be this difficult,» she shared in an Instagram post last month. «I never thought I would end up taking an unplanned career break. I assumed that earning a PhD would provide clear direction for my professional path. However, in hindsight, having the freedom and financial ability to pause and reassess has been an unexpected silver lining.»

As she navigated this uncertain phase, Niihori also grappled with feelings of isolation. Inevitably, she found herself drawing comparisons with her peers, despite knowing it was an unhelpful exercise. «I frequently compare my journey to friends who chose not to pursue a PhD and wonder how their lives have unfolded. Watching others advance in their careers and personal lives can be disheartening,» she admitted.

In another heartfelt Instagram post, Marika acknowledged that she had assumed securing employment after earning a doctorate from Cambridge would be straightforward. Instead, the protracted job search took a toll on her mental well-being, leaving her anxious and demoralized.

Despite these