College-educated workers see 15% layoff risk as U.S. jobless rate reaches 4.6%

On December 17, 2025, the article highlights a cooling white-collar labor market as the Labor Department put unemployment at 4.6% following Tuesday's report, with tech and finance shedding roles in October and November. A November New York Fed survey shows degree holders now assign a 15% layoff risk versus 11% three years ago, and only 47% expect to find new work within three months, down from 60%.