UK's top graduate laments broken job market after 500 applications

A 21-year-old Kingston University digital media tech graduate, Khaled Sharif, who spent about $125,000 on his degree, says the UK job market is broken after applying to 500 roles since 2025 and getting fewer than 20 interviews with no offers. He broadened his search to sales and other fields he didn’t want, but results remained elusive; he’s considering Tesco part-time work or returning to Qatar, and has started a clothing brand Zoqué to combine his interests in fashion and photography, illustrating the high cost of degrees and the hiring squeeze driven by AI and cost pressures.