Welcome! You make some good points, but remember that Claire was working at the library, as an intern, and probably doing more than Marten does.
At least she did for a semester... maybe a year. And probably unpaid, but it's experience which can be more important on your resume/CV.
Nevertheless, such things have nothing to do with the anxiety she's feeling - anxiety is not a rational thought process. In fact, it's exactly the opposite.
She will be fine, and that's really the point of the arc. We've seen her panicking and avoiding the subject, screaming inside. She finally talked about it, and feels better, supported, and loved.
And I think that was the point. Not just of this arc, but of most of the comic's history.
Quote edited for spacing
I understand that Claire is stressed out, upset, and isn't thinking as clearly as she normally would be, but still I’m frustrated with her; Marten apologized twice about not listening and then attempted to empathize. He was partly in her position before— facing graduation with no guarantee of a decent job after school. Claire makes a gentle mockery of that, “
What is that like with a music degree? Did you expect to become a rockstar as soon as you were handed your diploma?” Does she expect to become a librarian as soon as she gets hers? Of course not, that's from where a large part of her anxiety is coming.
We know Marten moved across the country for a relationship that didn’t work out, was considerably depressed for a while, and was stuck in an Office Bitch position from which he was eventually laid off. It may be why Marten doesn't have much ambition. He knows what it’s like to fall short of expectations but wanted to assure Claire that things will be okay, even if you’re the last person to believe that.
“Look at me!"Claire responds with an untrue assumption about his hiring at Smif that hurts him, at least a little. Marten lets it go unchallenged, even though those fundamental misunderstandings about his getting the job are making her reluctant to talk to Marten about these job-related stressors. Now, I'm not suggesting Marten should have started a fight because, again, that wouldn't have solved anything, but if it would have been cleared up, maybe Claire would have been more comfortable opening up.
I’m sure airing her concerns helped, but Claire herself made the realization that it was her own expectations she was projecting onto others (probably through Pintsize’s help; “
Are those his expectations, or yours?”). Toward the end of their conversation, Marten clarifies his original point, acknowledging her anxiety, and reminding her that she’s doing everything she can, and if it goes the other way, he’ll be right there.
I'm glad she's coping, and finding solace in her boyfriend, but it is not entirely resolved; she made assertions that were not true. I worry about that trend continuing because I think Claire is good for Marten.