The first rung of the career ladder is starting to disappear as artificial intelligence reshapes how work gets done and who gets hired.
A slate of surveys from employers, college students and recent graduates reveal how AI tools are dissolving the need for entry-level workers. At the same time, colleges are producing graduates who are familiar with AI but not fully prepared to deploy it in professionally.
Computer science leaders have sounded the alarm on this trend; it now appears to be cascading into other sectors.
A shrinking on-ramp to entry-level jobs
Thirty percent of HR leaders are shifting hiring away from entry-level jobs toward mid-level talent, according to a new survey from D2L, a global learning technology company. More than half (56%) report fewer basic assignments for early-career employees.
With AI being used to complete simple tasks once delegated to junior staff, new hires are being called to do more. Nearly half (48%) of HR leaders say productivity expectations are increasing.
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“As a result, the danger of GenAI isn’t the immediate disappearance of the entry-level worker, but the gradual erosion of the initial professional experience that has effectively served as a de facto apprenticeship in building experience and expertise,” the report reads.
Some roles are already disappearing. Among organizations constraining entry-level hiring in the next two years, more than half cite AI-driven automation of tasks as the primary driver.
Anxiety rises as preparedness lags
Nearly three-quarters of employers surveyed do not have professional development programs in place to prepare workers for workflow changes. At the same time, recent and upcoming graduates don’t feel prepared to bridge the gap.
Half of college graduates surveyed by recruiting website Monster report using AI tools in coursework, and 20% rely on it professional skills development. However, only 36% say college is preparing them to use AI in the workplace—more say it isn’t. Moreover, 58% feel anxious about applying AI in future roles.
Students are acutely aware that the labor market is shifting beneath them, but exposure to AI has not translated into confidence.
Tackling entry-level career preparation
To avoid being replaced, some students are reconsidering their career aspirations, according to a survey from EAB, a higher education solutions platform.
Of the 10,000 college students surveyed, 42% said they expect AI to influence their career choice. Technology has also led 10% of first-year college students to change their career path. Skills involving computer science, art, writing, accounting and marketing were suspected to be the most impacted.
This has major implications on where students decide to enroll. Successful job placement upon graduation was the No. 1 reported value of higher education.
Click here for five ways to better prepare students for a changing job market.
