Amie here. I’ve written before about how the job market is abysmal right now, which is particularly hard on new graduates and those just trying to get started in their field.
Now, one of those recent grads is confirming just how bad it is in Iowa.
Sophia Gilligan Shubatt of Dubuque just graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law and is a newly licensed attorney.
But in the past nine months, she’s applied to “more than 150 jobs.” Of those, a handful granted her an interview. She’s received no job offers.
“So here I am, back in my parent’s basement in Dubuque,” Shubatt said.
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Sophia Gilligan Shubatt. (Courtesy of Shubatt)
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I asked Shubatt to tell us more about the job market these days for graduates like her.
Here’s her response:
“The job market (for me, at least) is rough.
I became a lawyer because I saw the injustice built into our system and I wanted to make a difference. Three years ago, when I started law school, there seemed to be countless paths for me to do that. But America in fall 2022 and America in fall 2025 are two very different places. …
The attack began immediately when the administration took office and implemented a 90-day hiring freeze, causing government agencies to rescind offers for early-career federal workers. This included the Honors Attorneys Program, which places new law school graduates in entry-level positions throughout the government.
Since January, the administration has laid off hundreds of thousands of government workers, primarily those who served as watchdogs, provided aid to Americans and foreign countries, or served as any sort of check on executive power.
Many of these positions were eliminated entirely, and those that still exist will be filled with MAGA loyalists. (“Patriotism” and a desire to “advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities” are essential metrics for hiring positions graded at GS-05 or above. This means any new government employee starting at a salary above $30K will be evaluated on their political alignment. See OPM memo p. 9-10).
So, not only are there fewer jobs available for people like me, but now I am also competing with thousands of experienced government workers who are suddenly back on the job market. …
The most frustrating part isn’t the lack of opportunities that align with my values, it’s the abundance of jobs hiring at twice the salary of those I’m applying to—if only I’m willing to go against everything I believe in. It’s the bombardment with propaganda like this.
If I wanted to be a prosecutor or a prison guard or work for ICE, DOJ, the FBI, the CIA, Homeland Security, you name it—there’s listings all over LinkedIn. But if I want a job protecting people’s civil rights or helping our most vulnerable neighbors, I’ll just have to keep searching.
When it’s easier and far more profitable for me, as a new attorney, to become an ICE agent than it is to find a job with a legal aid organization, people should be alarmed.“
Are you a recent graduate or recently unemployed? What’s the job market been like for you? Email me.
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Amie Rivers
Newsletter Editor, Iowa Starting Line
Member, COURIER United (WGA East)
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Iowa ranks 43rd for teachers: A new WalletHub ranking puts Iowa 43rd of the 50 states and DC for teachers, taking into account opportunity, competition, academic, and work environment. “Iowa schools used to be our state’s crown jewel, so much so that we put ‘Foundation in Education’ on our quarter,” said candidate for governor Rob Sand, who pointed out that Iowa was 12th in this ranking as recently as 2016. “It’s sad to see how far we’ve come since then, and the damage done to our schools, students, and teachers.” A reminder that teachers already make 26% less than similarly educated workers.
- Migrant workers from Texas allege Iowa company trafficked them: Seven migrant farmworkers from Texas are suing Remington Seeds in DeWitt, claiming they were recruited to work for illegally low wages in substandard housing.
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How to help a coworker facing a politicized firing: In the age of keyboard warriors doxxing teachers for saying they don’t like Charlie Kirk, here’s how to show solidarity with coworkers facing the firing squad.
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Iowa City union endorsements: The Iowa City Federation of Labor endorsed Shawn Harmsen for Iowa City Council District 3, Bruce Teague and Megan Alter for Iowa City Council At-Large, and Ruthina Malone, Jayne Finch, and Dan Stevenson for Iowa City Community School Board. “At a time when workers’ rights have faced constant attack from our state legislature, it’s more important than ever to elect strong local leaders we can count on to defend workers’ rights and our democracy,” said Scott Punteney, president of the Iowa City Federation.
- Christina Bohannan endorsed by unions: Bohannan, running for Congress in Southeast Iowa’s District 1, was endorsed by the following national unions, according to her campaign: Laborers International Union of North America, International Union of Operating Engineers, Ironworkers Union, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and United Food and Commercial Workers.
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Sarah Trone Garriott endorsement: State Sen. Trone Garriott, running for Congress in Central Iowa’s District 3, was endorsed by Ironworkers Local 67. “I am excited to see the change a strong fighter for workers’ rights can bring to our country,” said Joe Durby, business manager for Ironworkers 67. “For too long, the working class has been ignored by politicians and big government.”
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Congress considers bill to speed up first contracts: The Faster Labor Contracts Act was introduced as a bipartisan bill in both the House and the Senate last week, and has been endorsed by several unions. It would require employers to begin negotiating with newly unionized workers within 10 days, and if no agreement is reached within 90 days, a contract would go to mediation. On average, a first contract can take 465 days. “Far too often, we see companies exploit loopholes to delay getting to a first contract,” said UFCW President Milton Jones.
- 5 million could lose health care: Unless Congress extends federal subsidies, more than 7 million people who buy their health insurance on Affordable Care Act marketplaces would pay much higher premiums next year—and 5 million of them would lose coverage completely.
- Should we privatize the VA? The Trump administration wants to, but a new study shows that the existing rural health care crisis means veterans would face even greater barriers to health care if we do.
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Tariffs remain the largest concern for companies, according to a survey of chief financial officers. (Maybe they could stop paying their CEOs more and more?)
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Voting on a union: A total of 1,776 full- and part-time registered nurses and PRNs at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Blank Children’s Hospital, Methodist West Hospital, and Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines vote Oct. 5-7 on whether to unionize with Teamsters Local 90. Sign a petition in support of the effort here, and read more about it as their effort gains national attention here.
- Starting up a union: Fifty full- and part-time workers at River Hills Community Health Center in Ottumwa refiled a petition to unionize Aug. 8 with River Hills United/Teamsters Local 90.
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- Lennox Industries in Marshalltown is laying off 49 workers by Sunday. Read more here.
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The Quad City Times in Davenport is laying off 49 printing press workers by Monday. Read more here.
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Winnebago Industries is closing and continuing to lay off, including one worker in Forest City by Monday, three workers in Forest City by Oct. 10, and 26 workers in Charles City by Dec. 12. Read more here.
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Smurfit Westrock Company in Cedar Rapids is closing and laying off 100 workers by Oct. 4. Read more here.
- Wells Fargo in West Des Moines is laying off 10 workers by Oct. 4, 10 workers by Oct. 18, and 12 workers by Nov. 14.
- Maverik in Des Moines is laying off 100 workers at its corporate headquarters by Oct. 6. Read more here.
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Fox River Mills in Osage is closing, relocating to North Carolina, and laying off 105 workers by Oct. 10. Read more here.
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Burlington Trailways is closing and laying off 79 workers by Oct. 18: 6 workers in Burlington, 5 workers in Cedar Rapids, 13 workers at two locations in Davenport, 8 workers in Des Moines, and 47 workers in West Burlington. Read more here.
- John Deere in Waterloo is laying off 101 workers at the East Donald Street site by Oct. 20. Read more here.
- Fellers in Urbandale is closing and laying off one worker by Oct. 24.
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Across the country, the future of local news is uncertain. But here at Iowa Starting Line, we’re staying focused—on you.
Our goal for our fall fundraising campaign is to raise $2,000 by Sept. 30 to keep this kind of coverage strong in Iowa.
If you’ve ever read one of our stories and thought, “I wouldn’t have known this otherwise,” we hope you’ll consider supporting our work.
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Rivers. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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