The Know Daily - Wednesday 13 May 2026

_{Read in 4m 07s ∙ Listening to Maddox Batson ∙}

This video of ducklings enjoying their equivalent of a day at the waterpark really is the best thing you’ll see today! 🥹

🎓 The graduate job market

New data has revealed that graduates are rethinking traditional career paths by turning to side hustles, projects and practical skills to help open doors.

What’s going on?
New research from LinkedIn suggests that as traditional entry routes get more competitive, graduates are finding different ways to get started. Across the UK and Europe, breaking into the job market is getting tougher, with slower hiring and fewer open roles. But one of the biggest barriers isn’t just the number of jobs – it’s access. Around a third of Gen Z say not having the right network is the main thing holding them back, ahead of limited roles or knowing how to stand out.

How are people responding?
Instead of waiting for a first job, many are creating their own opportunities. Around one in five are building side hustles to help kickstart their careers, while 16% are developing apps, websites or portfolios to showcase their skills. Others are taking a more flexible route, with 32% stepping into roles outside their field to build practical, in-demand experience. It’s a shift towards proving what you can do, rather than waiting to be given the chance.

Is the idea of a “career path” changing?
Sort of! The report highlights a move away from traditional linear careers, with 72% of young office workers considering switching into skilled trades like construction or mechanics. The Independent recently reported that a lot of Gen Z are turning to these roles for steady pay and AI-proof work. Hiring is also strongest in sectors tied to real-world demand, while skills-first hiring is opening up new routes for people without conventional backgrounds.

So what actually helps?
Applications still matter, but they’re only part of the picture. Networks, referrals and visible skills are playing a bigger role in unlocking opportunities. That might mean sharing your work online, reaching out to people in your field or building something tangible alongside your CV. Often, it’s those smaller, informal steps that lead to something more concrete.

What can someone on the job-hunt do?
📣 Build your network early: reach out to people in roles or industries you’re curious about on platforms like LinkedIn.
🛠️ Show what you can do: projects, portfolios or side hustles can demonstrate your skills more clearly than a CV alone.
🎯 Be targeted with applications: focus on roles where your skills already match, rather than applying to everything.

📱A “social media delay” for children is being considered by the EU, with new rules potentially being proposed within months.

• The bigger story: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said European countries can no longer avoid the debate around minimum age limits for social media use, as concerns grow about addictive algorithms, harmful content and online safety. Several countries – including France, Spain and Norway – are already exploring bans or stricter age checks for younger users. The EU is also increasing pressure on tech companies through investigations into platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, arguing that protecting children online should become a bigger responsibility for social media firms themselves.

🩺 Polycystic ovary syndrome is being renamed, with experts saying the new name better reflects how the condition affects hormones and metabolism, not just the ovaries.

🌱 Plants can hear according to a new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that suggests rice seeds can hear the sound of rain.

🙋‍♀️Over 100 MPs have signed a statement backing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer amid growing calls for his resignation, though over 80 MPs now want him to step down following Labour’s local election results.

♻️ The world’s largest environmental competition was won by an 18-year-old for her invention that tackles microplastics. 

🚆 A new Eurostar agreement could mean that trains will run from England to Switzerland for the first time. 

👯‍♀️ The friendliest place to live in the UK has been revealed… something tells us the local estate agents will be having a busy week! 

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