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The evidence is mounting. There was a time when a college degree all but guaranteed a job. Not anymore. For decades, entry-level roles served as the primary on-ramp into the workforce for college graduates. They offered young professionals a footholdan opportunity to build experience, earn income, and grow into long-term careers. But today, that pathway is rapidly eroding. And its leaving an entire generation of educated workers without a clear way in. Todays college graduates are facing one of the most hostile job markets in recent memory, especially when it comes to entry-level roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a 9.3% unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders aged 20 to 24 in August 2025, almost double the average unemployment rate for all workers. In the U.S., entry-level hiring is down 23% compared to March 2020, which is more than the 18% decline in overall hiring, according to research from LinkedIn. Additionally, a 2023 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that fewer than 60% of graduates had a job six months after finishing their degree. The culprit? Its a cocktail of economic uncertainty, cautious corporate spending, and accelerating automation. When capital becomes more expensiveas it has with persistently high interest rates until recentlycompanies rethink where every dollar goes. In this new calculus, entry-level roles are often the first to be cut. These positions dont immediately generate ROI, require onboarding and training, and often take time to ramp up. Instead of hiring junior talent, companies are choosing to redistribute work across existing teams, lean more heavily on AI, or simply delay the hire indefinitely. Weve effectively created a hiring freeze for the next generation of workers. Freelancing as a New Path Forward Danielle Farage, a Gen Z content creator and workplace advocate, saw this play out firsthand. After graduating in the middle of the pandemic, she took a corporate job, only to be laid off shortly after. Instead of waiting for the job market to stabilize, she started her own business. Today, she runs a thriving career built on public speaking, marketing consulting, and digital content creation. I decided it was time to bet on myself, Danielle said. My generation is disillusioned with the old playbook. We want transparency, flexibility, and purpose. If companies cant offer that, well build it ourselves. Thats exactly what thousands of Gen Z workers are doing. The Upwork Future Workforce Index study found that 53% of skilled Gen Z workers are already freelancing, batting above the average of 28% of all skilled workers who are freelancing. Whats more, 53% of Gen Z freelancers are working full-time hours, many on sophisticated, strategic projects across industries like AI, creative design, and business consulting. They arent dabblingtheyre building careers. And counter to what many may think, Gen Z freelancers are nearly twice as likely to have a postgraduate degree as their employed peers. Theyre also using freelancing as a way to learn faster. They pitch clients, negotiate contracts, deliver outcomes, and adapt in real time. These are not the soft-skill-lite roles typically assigned to entry-level employees. This is a crash course in entrepreneurship. Rachel, a freelancer and former political science major, told me she turned to freelancing after a quarter-life crisis. I was burnt out working in law and policy, she shared. Freelancing gave me the flexibility to adventure, find a home, earn what I needed, and take care of myself while building a business that works around my chronic illnesses. The Paradoxical Skills Requirements for Entry-Level Roles The very traits employers claim to seekresilience, creativity, and initiativeare being honed more rigorously in the freelance economy than in traditional workplaces. Freelancing isnt just work. Its self-education. It teaches you how to sell your skills and ideas effectively, because every project starts with a pitch. It builds time management, as theres no manager keeping tabsyour schedule is yours alone to manage. It sharpens self-advocacy, requiring you to confidently price your value, set boundaries, and push back against scope creep. And it turns personal branding into a lived skill, as you become your resume, portfolio, and reputation all at once. As Danielle Farage put it, No ones going to sell you like yourself. And most full-time roles dont teach you that.” This reality is backed by research: Upwork found that Gen Z freelancers report higher levels of intrinsic motivation, self-determination, and creative satisfaction than their full-time peers. Many feel more connected to their work, not less. And while much has been said about AI eliminating jobs, Gen Z freelancers are actually ahead of the curve. They are significantly more likely to train themselves on generative AI tools61% versus 41% of their traditionally employed counterparts. These are the muscles Gen Z needs to buildnot just to survive todays job market, but to thrive in tomorrows economy. The Freelancing Fork in the Road Gen Z doesnt need to freelance for life, but its a smart first step. It offers a way to earn income while the job market remains uncertain, build a portfolio of real-world experience, and develop business, communication, and leadership skills at a much faster pace than many entry-level roles allow. Most importantly, freelancing puts Gen Z back in the drivers seat. No waiting for a recruiter to respond. No agonizing over rejection emails. Freelancing is about building skill, hustle, and forward momentum. And in a world where the entry-level job may not be coming back anytime soon, that kind of self-directed momentum might just be the most important credential of all.
Category:
E-Commerce
Maxwell House is doing some downsizing. For a limited time, it’s changing its name to Maxwell Apartment. Just in time for National Coffee Day, the coffee brand owned by the Kraft Heinz Company announced that while supplies last, it’s selling a year’s supply of its specially packaged coffee for just $40 on Amazon, or what it’s calling a 12-month “lease.” It’s the same exact coffee, just cheaper at about 10 cents less per ounce. (It also has a new name for the first time in 133 years.) The brand cites statistics that coffee drinkers could save more than $1,000 a year with the offer compared to daily cafe runs. That’s not enough for a down payment on a home, but it’s something, and it comes as coffee pricesnot to mention home pricesare on the rise. “Two-thirds of American adults drink coffee every day, which can add up quickly, especially these days,” Holly Ramadan, head of coffee for North America for Kraft Heinz, said in a statement. [Photo: Kraft Heinz Company] Brewing a comeback Ground coffee saw the highest inflation rate in any category except for eggs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, thanks to factors like supply issues, tariffs, and volatile weather. “Maxwell House believes no one should have to go without great tasting coffee, and Maxwell Apartment delivers the same delicious taste people know and love, at a value that celebrates all our fans are doing to make smart choices in their lives,” Ramadan said. Maxwell House’s parent company Kraft Heinz saw net sales of about $26 billion in 2024, but it announced this month that it’s splitting into two publicly traded companies about a decade after merging. The split comes as the company’s total revenue and stock has fallen, and amid a wider trend away from processed foods. Kraft Heinz said the breakup would help reduce operational complexity, drive efficiencies, and allow each company the give more attention and resources to their specific portfolios. Maxwell House will join the half of the company now being called North American Grocery Co., which will get custody of portfolio of well-known food and beverage brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, Capri Sun, Lunchables, and Ore-Ida. The Maxwell Apartment promotion is part of a larger effort that Maxwell House says it has planned this fall to emphasize value and consistent flavor. And at a time of rising costs and in a competitive landscape of private label brands, that’s exactly what a national brand would have to do to succeed.
Category:
E-Commerce
Here is something you don’t hear everyday: Hillshire Brands, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, has recalled some 58 million pounds of corn dogs and sausage-on-a-stick products saying they “may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of wood embedded in the batter,” according to the Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The problem was discovered after the Tyson Foods subsidiary received multiple consumer complaints, five of which involved injuries. Upon investigation, Hillshire Brands determined that the wooden sticks entered the production process prior to product battering. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury from consumption of these products. The agency is concerned that some products may be in consumers refrigerators and freezers, along with school and institution refrigerators and freezers. What is the product information for the recall? The corn dog and sausage-on-a-stick products were packaged between March 17, 2025, and September 26, 2025. The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST-582 or P-894 printed on the packaging. Here’s a list of the products subject to recall: UNBRANDED FOOD SERVICE Product Name: Batter Wrapped Franks on a Stick with Turkey and Chicken, Pork, Beef added Lot number: 10000050925 Package size and type: 2.67oz franks in a 6lb case Use by date: 12/13/2025, 12/22/2025, 12/27/2025, 1/3/2026, 1/12/2026, 1/18/2026, 1/27/2026, 2/2/2026, 2/3/2026, 2/23/2026, 3/21/2026, 4/12/2026, 4/27/2026, 5/18/2026, 5/23/2026 JIMMY DEAN Product Name: Jimmy Dean Cinnamon French Toast Sausage on a Stick Lot number: 10000033532 Package size and type: 30oz cartons in a 7.5lb case Use by date: 11/17/2025, 12/21/2025, 1/18/2026, 3/16/2026, 4/8/2026, 4/26/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Original Pancake & Turkey Sausage on a Stick Lot number: 10000033532 Package size and type: 2.51 oz sticks in a 9.41lb case Use by date: 12/1/2025, 1/13/2026, 2/15/2026, 3/14/2026, 3/29/2026, 5/4/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Blueberry Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick Lot number: 10000033494 Package size and type: 30oz cartons in a 15 pound case Use by date: 11/16/2025, 11/23/2025, 11/30/2025, 12/8/2025, 12/22/2025, 12/26/2025, 12/29/2025, 1/2/2026, 1/4/2026, 1/10/2026, 1/12/2026, 1/25/2026, 2/1/2026, 2/12/2026, 2/13/2026, 2/26/2026, 2/27/2026, 3/7/2026, 3/13/2026, 3/15/2026, 3/22/2026, 3/27/2026, 4/5/2026, 4/15/2026, 5/3/2026, 5/6/2026, 5/7/2026, 5/13/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Pancake and Turkey on Stick Lot number: 10000070613 Package size and type: 40IW 6.27 pounds case Use by date: 12/1/2025, 1/13/2026, 2/15/2026, 3/14/2026, 3/29/2026, 4/5/2026, 5/4/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage On A Stick, Pancake Batter Covering a Pork & Chicken Sausage Link, Original Lot number: 10000064591 Package size and type: 50 oz carton in a 25 pound case Use by date: 11/12/2025, 11/20/2025, 11/27/2025, 12/4/2025, 12/10/2025, 1/7/2026, 1/11/2026, 1/23/2026, 1/28/2026, 2/9/2026, 2/14/2026, 2/20/2026, 2/25/2026, 3/10/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/20/2026, 3/25/2026, 4/1/2026, 4/12/2026, 4/18/2026, 4/22/2026, 5/1/2026, 5/8/2026, 5/14/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage On A Stick, Pancake Batter Covering a Pork & Chicken Sausage Link, Original Lot number: 10000033531 Package size and type: 28.125 pounds per case Use by date: 12/12/2025, 12/21/2025, 1/29/2026, 3/12/2026, 5/2/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Pancake Batter Covering A Pork & Chicken Sausage Link, Original Lot number: 10000033525 Package size and type: 6 carton per case/ 4.687lbs Use by date: 11/13/2025, 11/14/2025, 11/15/2025, 11/20/2025, 11/21/2025, 11/27/2025, 11/28/2025, 11/29/2025, 12/4/2025, 12/5/2025, 12/9/2025, 12/11/2025, 12/12/2025, 12/17/2025, 12/18/2025, 12/24/2025, 12/25/2025, 12/26/2025, 12/31/2025, 1/1/2026, 1/7/2026, 1/8/2026, 1/9/2026, 1/23/2026, 1/24/2026, 1/26/2026, 1/28/2026, 1/29/2026, 2/4/2026, 2/19/2026, 2/20/2026, 2/25/2026, 3/5/2026, 3/12/2026, 3/19/2026, 3/20/2026, 3/26/2026, 4/1/2026, 4/2/2026, 4/3/2026, 4/9/2026, 4/10/2026, 4/16/2026, 4/17/2026, 4/18/2026, 4/23/2026, 4/24/2026, 5/1/2026,5/2/2026, 5/7/2026, 5/8/2026 Product Name: Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage On a Stick, Pancake Batter Covering A Pork & Chicken Sausage Link, Original Lot number: 10000033496 Package size and type: 30oz carton in a 15 pound case Use by date: 11/13/2025, 11/14/2025, 11/15/2025, 11/19/2025, 11/21/2025, 11/26/2025, 11/28/2025, 11/29/2025, 12/3/2025, 12/5/2025, 12/7/2025, 12/9/2025, 12/11/2025, 12/17/2025, 12/18/2025, 12/24/2025, 12/25/2025, 12/26/2025, 12/27/2025, 12/29/2025, 12/31/2025, 1/1/2026, 1/8/2026, 1/9/2026, 1/14/2026, 1/17/2026, 1/22/2026, 1/24/2026, 1/26/2026, 1/30/2026, 1/31/2026, 2/1/2026,2/2/2026, 2/4/2026, 2/6/2026, 2/7/2026, 2/11/2026, 2/18/2026, 2/19/2026, 2/21/2026, 2/27/2026, 3/2/2026, 3/4/2026, 3/5/2026, 3/19/2026, 3/26/2026, 4/2/2026, 4/3/2026, 4/9/2026, 4/10/2026, 4/16/2026, 4/17/2026, 4/19/2026, 4/23/2026, 4/24/2026, 5/7/2026, 5/15/2026, 5/16/2026, 5/31/2026 STATE FAIR Product Name: State Fair Corn Dogs Batter Wrapped Franks On a Stick Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added Lot number: 10000084818 Package size and type: 48 count -12lbs case Use by date: 1/4/2026, 1/11/2026, 2/13/2026, 3/1/2026, 4/6/2026, 4/28/2026, 5/17/2026, 6/1/2026 Product Name: State Fair Turkey Corn Dogs, Whole Grain Batter Wrapped Turkey Franks On a Stick Lot number: 10000028322 Package size and type: 48 count per case Use by date: 1/31/2026, 2/22/2026, 4/11/2026, 5/3/2026, 6/7/2026 Product Name: State Far Beef Hot Dogs Wrapped in a Honey Sweetened Batter. Lot number: 10000046146 Package size and type: 32 oz cartons in a 12 pound case Use by date: 4/27/2026, 5/6/2026, 6/8/2026 Product Name: State Fair Beef Hot Dogs Wrapped In a Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000004126 Package size and type: 13.35 oz cartons in a 10.012lb case Use by date: 1/20/2026, 1/27/2026, 2/12/2026, 3/2/2026, 3/4/2026, 5/20/2026, 5/25/2026 Product Name: State Fair Fully Cooked, Classic Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork, Beef Added Wrapped in a Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000001365 Package size and type: 36 count/2.67oz/6lbs case Use by date: 12/20/2025, 1/5/2026, 2/6/2026, 3/22/2026, 6/6/2026 Product Name: State Fair Classic Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added Lot number: 10000008481 Package size and type: 48 count/4oz/12lbs case Use by date: 1/4/2026, 1/11/2026, 2/13/2026, 3/1/2026, 4/6/2026, 4/28/2026, 5/17/2026, 6/1/2026 Product Name: State Fair Fiesta Corn Dogs, Batter Wrapped Chicken Franks – Pork, Turkey, Beef Added with Cheese and Jalapeno Peppers Lot number: 10000009149 Package size and type: 12 lbs case Use by date: 12/30/2025, 2/3/2026, 2/25/2026, 3/15/2026, 4/11/2026, 5/3/2026, 5/24/2026 Product Name: State Fair Hot Dogs made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added Wrapped in a Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000022346 Package size and type: 42.72 oz cartons in a 10.675 pound case Use by date: 12/12/2025, 12/14/2025, 12/15/2025, 12/19/2025, 12/26/2025, 12/29/2025, 1/2/2026, 1/6/2026, 1/8/2026, 1/9/2026, 1/16/2026, 1/19/2026, 1/21/2026, 1/23/2026, 1/24/2026, 1/25/2026, 1/30/2026, 2/1/2026, 2/8/2026, 2/9/2026, 2/10/2026, 2/11/2026, 2/14/2026, 2/17/2026, 2/21/2026, 2/24/2026, 2/27/2026, 3/6/2026, 3/9/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/13/2026, 3/14/2026, 3/15/2026, 3/16/2026, 3/20/2026, 3/23/2026, 3/24/2026, 3/27/2026, 3/29/2026, 4/3/2026, 4/5/2026, 4/9/2026, 4/10/2026, 4/19/2026, 4/20/2026, 4/24/2026, 4/26/2026, 5/1/2026, 5/4/2026, 5/6/2026, 5/8/2026, 5/9/2026, 5/15/2026, 5/19/2026, 5/20/2026, 5/22/2026, 5/25/2026, 6/2/2026, 6/5/2026, 6/12/2026, 6/13/2026, 6/14/2026 Product Name: State Fair Classic Corn Dogs Hot Dogs Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added Wrapped in A Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000001126 Package size and type: 16 oz cartons in a 12 pound case Use by date: 12/17/2025, 12/22/2025, 1/5/2026, 1/7/2026, 1/19/2026, 1/26/2026, 1/28/2026, 2/2/2026, 2/14/2026, 3/7/2026, 3/10/2026, 3/17/2026, 3/24/2026, 4/13/2026, 4/20/2026, 4/28/2026, 5/4/2026, 5/11/2026, 6/3/2026, 6/9/2026 Product Name: State Fair Classic Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs Made With Turkey and Chicken, Pork , Beef Added Wrapped In A Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000059443 Package size and type: IW 30 CNT SWC 6/5LB Use by date: 12/14/2025, 12/15/2025, 12/16/2025, 12/21/2025, 12/22/2025, 12/23/2025, 12/27/2025, 12/29/2025, 12/31/2025, 1/3/2026, 1/5/2026, 1/7/2026, 1/9/2026, 1/10/2026, 1/12/2026, 1/16/2026, 1/18/2026, 1/20/2026, 1/21/2026, 1/23/2026, 1/24/2026, 1/30/2026, 2/1/2026, 2/6/2026, 2/7/2026, 2/10/2026, 2/14/2026, 2/17/2026, 2/21/2026, 2/22/2026, 2/23/2026, 2/27/2026, 3/6/2026, 3/7/2026, 3/8/2026, 3/9/2026, 3/11/2026, 3/13/2026, 3/20/2026, 3/22/2026, 3/25/2026, 3/27/2026, 4/3/2026, 4/4/2026, 4/6/2026, 4/10/2026, 4/13/2026, 4/19/2026, 4/24/2026, 4/25/2026, 4/26/2026, 4/27/2026, 5/1/2026, 5/2/2026, 5/4/2026, 5/6/2026, 5/8/2026, 5/9/2026, 5/10/2026, 5/16/2026, 5/17/2026, 5/18/2026, 5/19/2026, 5/20/2026, 5/22/2026, 5/23/2026, 5/26/2026, 5/31/2026, 6/2/2026, 6/3/2026, 6/5/2026 Product Name: State Fair Classic Corn Dogs Hot Dogs Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added Wrapped in A Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000037409 Package size and type: PK 22 CNT 6/58.7oz Use by date: 12/12/2025, 12/13/2025, 12/17/2025, 12/19/2025, 12/20/2025, 12/26/2025, 12/27/2025, 1/2/2026, 1/4/2026, 1/6/2026, 1/8/2026, 1/12/2026, 1/17/2026, 1/18/2026, 1/25/2026, 1/26/2026, 1/27/2026, 1/28/2026, 2/8/2026, 2/9/2026, 2/14/2026, 3/3/2026, 3/7/2026, 3/10/2026, 3/23/2026, 3/25/2026, 3/29/2026, 4/4/2026, 4/5/2026, 4/12/2026, 5/3/2026, 5/4/2026, 5/5/2026, 5/11/2026, 5/12/2026, 5/15/2026, 5/20/2026, 5/25/2026, 6/9/2026 Product Name: State Fair Fully Cooked Classic Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs Made With Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added, Wrapped in a Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000013658 Package size and type: 36 count/2.67oz Use by date: 1/10/2026, 2/25/2026, 5/2/2026 Product Name: State Fair Fully Cooked Turkey Corn Dogs, Batter Wrapped Turkey Franks on a Stick Lot number: 10000009481 Package size and type: 48 count Use by date: 12/21/2025, 2/16/2026, 3/7/2026, 4/25/2026, 5/10/2026 Product Name: State Fair Fully Cooked Whole Grain Batter Wrapped Uncured Chicken Franks on a Stick Lot number: 10363650928 Package size and type: 48 count-4 oz Use by date: 4/4/2026, 5/9/2026, 6/6/2026, 7/18/2026, 8/8/2026, 8/15/2026, 8/29/2026, 9/19/2026 Product Name: State Fair Beef Corn Dogs, Beef Hot Dogs Wrapped In A Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000037550 Package size and type: 42.72 oz cartons in a 10.675 lb case Use by date: 12/22/2025, 12/28/2025, 1/5/2026, 1/11/2026, 1/19/2026, 1/27/2026, 1/31/2026, 2/2/2026, 2/11/2026, 2/12/2026, 2/13/2026, 2/16/2026, 2/24/2026, 2/28/2026, 3/1/2026, 3/2/2026, 3/4/2026, 3/10/2026, 3/14/2026, 3/15/2026, 3/16/2026, 3/17/2026, 3/21/2026, 3/24/2026, 4/5/2026, 4/14/2026, 4/18/2026, 4/20/2026, 4/21/2026, 4/27/2026, 5/6/2026, 5/11/2026, 5/25/2026, 5/31/2026, 6/1/2026, 6/8/2026, 6/15/2026 Product Name: State Fair Fully Cooked Corn Dogs, Beef Hot Dogs Wrapped In A Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000069419 Package size and type: 24 CNT 6/64.08 OZ Use by date: 3/10/2026, 3/14/2026, 3/28/2026, 5/11/2026 Product Name: State Fair Classic Corn Dogs, Hot Dogs Made with Turkey and Chicken, Pork Added Wrapped in a Honey Sweetened Batter Lot number: 10000016146 Package size and type: 12 oz cartons in a 6 lb case Use by date: 12/23/2025, 12/31/2025, 1/2/2026, 1/12/2026, 1/18/2026 Product Name: State Fair Turkey Corn Dogs Batter Wrapped Turkey Franks On a Stick Lot number: 10000009488 Package size and type: 48 count-4 oz Use by date: 12/16/2025, 12/21/2025, 1/20/2026, 2/16/2026, 3/7/2026, 3/8/2026, 3/28/2026, 4/21/2026, 4/25/2026, 5/10/2026, 5/24/2026 These items were sold online and shipped to retail and food service locations nationwide. They were also sold to school districts and Department of Defense facilities across the country. While the products were distributed to schools, it resulted from commercial sales, and not part of food provided by the USDA for the National School Lunch Program. What if I have these products in my refrigerator or freezer? Consumers, schools, and institutions who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact The Hillshire Brands Company at 888-747-7611.
Category:
E-Commerce
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