What Happened
Young students crossing the Albrook Terminal in Panama City described a difficult path into the labor market, pointing to the same barriers again and again: lack of experience, too few openings in their field of study, scarce vacancies and a crowded job market.
Many said employers often ask for several years of experience even for entry-level roles. That creates a cycle in which graduates are expected to arrive ready to work, but cannot build a record without being hired first.
Why Young People Feel Stuck
Rachel Bernal, who studies preschool education, said the labor field is hard to enter because opportunities are limited. She also raised concern that some positions remain occupied by retired workers, which in her view leaves fewer spaces for younger Panamanians entering the workforce.
Other students voiced a similar concern about a saturated market. They argued that older workers who remain in jobs could be making it harder for new generations to access vacancies, especially in sectors where openings are already scarce.
Several students also said professional contacts matter almost as much as qualifications. Sebastián Flores said it is easier to get hired through someone known personally, reflecting a common belief among young people that “palanca” can be decisive in securing employment.
The First Job Problem
For many students, the biggest obstacle is not education itself but the first opportunity. Johan Torres said companies want applicants with proven experience but are unwilling to take a chance on younger workers who are still trying to build it.
Paultet García, who studies physiotherapy, called on employers to give young people a chance to start and gain experience. Lía De León, an arts student, said even part-time work is difficult to find, making it harder to take the first step into the job market.
What the Numbers Suggest
The concerns voiced by the students fit a wider labor reality in Panama. More than 113,000 people do not have formal employment, 54% work informally and only a minority holds well-paid jobs. Those figures help explain why many young people see the transition from school to work as one of the biggest challenges facing their generation.
Even with investment in education and existing job programs, young Panamanians continue to face a labor market shaped by scarce opportunities, high experience requirements and intense competition. For many, that means the route from classroom to career remains uncertain and frustrating.