College isolation haunts California’s young professionals
PUBLISHED: October 26, 2023
After years of isolation and online classes, some young professionals in California’s workforce are struggling with greater mental health challenges and burnout.
In her second year at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, Julia Reinhard started to feel the loneliness creep in.
Like many college students, the pandemic meant hours and hours of remote learning. Reinhard tried to break free of the isolation by talking regularly with a friend, as well as faculty, staff and a counselor.
Building connections with people she could trust served her well after graduating last year. It also aided her as she transitioned to her career, now working as aide to Marin County Supervisor Mary Sackett.
“It can come in waves,” said Reinhard, referring to the emotional swings after graduating. “Especially for me, post-graduation, Election Day hadn’t happened yet, and I was unsure what would happen next. But I had a balance of people who supported me and work that was meaningful.”
