Many University Juniors Think About Job Hunting 'Daily,' but Express Confusion Over Earlier Timelines [Survey on Juniors' Career Outlook]
A survey by Gakujo reveals that while many university juniors think about job hunting daily, there is widespread confusion over the accelerating timeline and a mix of anxiety and willingness regarding internships.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 03:13 (16h 41m after Collected)
[TOPICS]
(1) Many students think about job hunting "on a daily basis."
(2) Regarding the early start of job hunting, prominent voices say they "feel it is too early."
(3) Many students believe they "should participate in internships despite having anxieties."
[Background of the Survey]
As job hunting begins earlier and lasts longer, it is becoming standard for university students to think about employment from their early academic years. On the other hand, there are differences in how students feel about "when" and "how much" they should be aware of job hunting, and how they should act. We conducted this survey to clarify to what extent university juniors are conscious of job hunting in their daily lives, and how they perceive the early start of job hunting and internships.
[Summary]
This survey revealed the reality that many students answered they "think about job hunting on a daily basis," making it a part of their lives at the university junior stage. Meanwhile, many expressed that they "feel it is too early" regarding the acceleration of job hunting schedules, indicating they feel pressured to take action before they are mentally prepared. Regarding internships, a large number of students responded, "I am anxious but think I should participate," revealing a picture of students trying to act positively while recognizing the necessity, despite their confusion.
[Free Comments from Surveyed Students]
"There is hardly a day when I don't think about job hunting."
"People around me are starting to move, so I feel rushed."
"Job hunting is starting so early that I don't know where to begin."
"I am anxious about internships, but I feel I'll regret it if I don't do them."
"I really want to take a little more time to think, but I feel I need to act now."
Such voices were gathered.
(1) Many University Students Think About Job Hunting "On a Daily Basis"
When asked about the "frequency of thinking about job hunting," the most common response was students who "think about it on a daily basis." It is evident that for university juniors, job hunting has become a theme they are constantly aware of in their daily lives, rather than just a special event.
(2) Students Also Feel It Is "Too Early" for Accelerated Job Hunting
When asked "how they feel about the recent early start of job hunting," many students responded that they "feel it is too early."
It can be seen that quite a few students, while understanding the necessity of job hunting, feel that they "are not ready yet" and "want time to think."
(3) "Positive Despite Anxieties" Toward Internships
Regarding their current feelings toward internships, the most frequent answer was, "I am anxious but think I should participate."
While internships have become an important part of job hunting, the survey highlights the figure of students who are bewildered and considering participation without knowing the content or whether it suits them.
■ Survey Overview
・Survey Period: March 13, 2026 - April 6, 2026
・Survey Organization: Gakujo Co., Ltd.
・Survey Target: Visitors to the scout-type job site "Re-Shukatsu Campus"
・Number of Valid Responses: 576
・Survey Method: Online questionnaire survey
* Since the numerical values for each item are rounded to the nearest tenth, the total of single-choice answers may not equal 100.0%.
■ About Gakujo Co., Ltd.
A company listed on the TSE Prime Market and a member of Keidanren. Since 2004, it has advocated "year-round hiring for people in their 20s." With 2.8 million members, it is a major employment and career change information company that provides total support for the recruitment of people in their 20s and 30s, centered around "Re-Shukatsu," the No. 1 career change site for people in their 20s for seven consecutive years (chosen by 20-somethings) (2019-2025 Tokyo Shoko Research survey, No. 1 career change site for 20-somethings), "Re-Shukatsu 30," a direct recruiting service for people in their 30s, and "Re-Shukatsu Campus," a scout-type job site with 600,000 members.
It also held Japan's first "joint corporate seminar" (according to the company's research) and operates "Tenshoku Haku" and "Shushoku Haku." In 2019, it launched "Japan Jobs," an employment and recruitment support service for foreign talent, deploying diverse services related to the recruitment of young talent.
[Founded / 1976 Capital / 1.5 billion yen Affiliated Organizations / Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Association of Job Information of Japan, Japan Association of Human Resource Services, Japan Job Information Publishing Discussion Group, Forest Culture Association]
https://company.gakujo.ne.jp
(1) Many students think about job hunting "on a daily basis."
(2) Regarding the early start of job hunting, prominent voices say they "feel it is too early."
(3) Many students believe they "should participate in internships despite having anxieties."
[Background of the Survey]
As job hunting begins earlier and lasts longer, it is becoming standard for university students to think about employment from their early academic years. On the other hand, there are differences in how students feel about "when" and "how much" they should be aware of job hunting, and how they should act. We conducted this survey to clarify to what extent university juniors are conscious of job hunting in their daily lives, and how they perceive the early start of job hunting and internships.
[Summary]
This survey revealed the reality that many students answered they "think about job hunting on a daily basis," making it a part of their lives at the university junior stage. Meanwhile, many expressed that they "feel it is too early" regarding the acceleration of job hunting schedules, indicating they feel pressured to take action before they are mentally prepared. Regarding internships, a large number of students responded, "I am anxious but think I should participate," revealing a picture of students trying to act positively while recognizing the necessity, despite their confusion.
[Free Comments from Surveyed Students]
"There is hardly a day when I don't think about job hunting."
"People around me are starting to move, so I feel rushed."
"Job hunting is starting so early that I don't know where to begin."
"I am anxious about internships, but I feel I'll regret it if I don't do them."
"I really want to take a little more time to think, but I feel I need to act now."
Such voices were gathered.
(1) Many University Students Think About Job Hunting "On a Daily Basis"
When asked about the "frequency of thinking about job hunting," the most common response was students who "think about it on a daily basis." It is evident that for university juniors, job hunting has become a theme they are constantly aware of in their daily lives, rather than just a special event.
(2) Students Also Feel It Is "Too Early" for Accelerated Job Hunting
When asked "how they feel about the recent early start of job hunting," many students responded that they "feel it is too early."
It can be seen that quite a few students, while understanding the necessity of job hunting, feel that they "are not ready yet" and "want time to think."
(3) "Positive Despite Anxieties" Toward Internships
Regarding their current feelings toward internships, the most frequent answer was, "I am anxious but think I should participate."
While internships have become an important part of job hunting, the survey highlights the figure of students who are bewildered and considering participation without knowing the content or whether it suits them.
■ Survey Overview
・Survey Period: March 13, 2026 - April 6, 2026
・Survey Organization: Gakujo Co., Ltd.
・Survey Target: Visitors to the scout-type job site "Re-Shukatsu Campus"
・Number of Valid Responses: 576
・Survey Method: Online questionnaire survey
* Since the numerical values for each item are rounded to the nearest tenth, the total of single-choice answers may not equal 100.0%.
■ About Gakujo Co., Ltd.
A company listed on the TSE Prime Market and a member of Keidanren. Since 2004, it has advocated "year-round hiring for people in their 20s." With 2.8 million members, it is a major employment and career change information company that provides total support for the recruitment of people in their 20s and 30s, centered around "Re-Shukatsu," the No. 1 career change site for people in their 20s for seven consecutive years (chosen by 20-somethings) (2019-2025 Tokyo Shoko Research survey, No. 1 career change site for 20-somethings), "Re-Shukatsu 30," a direct recruiting service for people in their 30s, and "Re-Shukatsu Campus," a scout-type job site with 600,000 members.
It also held Japan's first "joint corporate seminar" (according to the company's research) and operates "Tenshoku Haku" and "Shushoku Haku." In 2019, it launched "Japan Jobs," an employment and recruitment support service for foreign talent, deploying diverse services related to the recruitment of young talent.
[Founded / 1976 Capital / 1.5 billion yen Affiliated Organizations / Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Association of Job Information of Japan, Japan Association of Human Resource Services, Japan Job Information Publishing Discussion Group, Forest Culture Association]
https://company.gakujo.ne.jp