Looking at the job market in Houston, it becomes painfully clear that not all graduates are the same.

In short, those who rely solely on their school name or credentials while boasting about 'Texas oil pride' are likely to end up unemployed, while only those who actively seek out networking opportunities will survive.

Those who struggle to find jobs share a common trait. They believe that if they maintain a good GPA in college and graduate, major financial firms or large energy companies will come to recruit them.

Given how fierce the job market is these days, how can anyone expect to receive offers while sitting at home, endlessly clicking the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn? They complain about the world while sending out hundreds of resumes with no response.

On the other hand, those who easily break into the job market are definitely different. They tap into the local cheat codes of 'Energy and Medical' infrastructure.

Starting from their sophomore or junior years, they chase after local job fairs and oil and gas conferences in Houston as if they were going to their own home.

Those who send friendly LinkedIn messages to current employees asking for a 'coffee chat' with the offer of buying them a coffee, and who hand out business cards, often have multiple offers in hand worth $80,000 to $90,000 even before they graduate.

Ultimately, in Houston, the difference between being a 'homebody credentialist' and a 'field networking enthusiast' is the most definitive criterion for success in graduate employment.

The overall economic atmosphere in Houston is not bad. The population continues to grow, and port activity is vibrant.

The energy sector remains strong, and the healthcare field is steadily growing.

Manufacturing and logistics industries are also expanding. Overall, it feels like a city where opportunities are continually being created.

In the end, Houston is not a "city without jobs" but rather a "city where jobs become visible when you meet people."

Here, a diploma is not the end of employment but the beginning.

Perhaps due to Texas's unique culture, the connections between people wield more power than one might expect.

So, if you're preparing for a job in Houston, it might be more effective to attend one more job fair, meet one more current employee, and collect one more business card rather than just staring at your computer screen.

While Texas is vast and opportunities abound, those opportunities are found not in front of a computer monitor but in the field where you meet people and shake hands.