College for as long as time has been regarded as the space between school and the real world. Where four years of preparation and hard work are shortly followed by a first job, where that commitment you put out is valued. But as artificial intelligence rewrites the hiring process and employers expect first-hand experience before employment, that sequence is changing. For many students, the first step of a career now starts before graduation.
Across the country, a mixture of artificial intelligence (AI) and changing hiring practices is reshaping how graduates enter the workforce. Although some may disagree, experts say careers are not disappearing, but the entry level jobs into them are changing earlier — often into the college years themselves.
Beth Ricca, the Executive Director for Career Development, said, “AI is definitely changing how students enter the workforce. Most employers use AI tools to screen resumes and manage applications, and some use technology to proactively identify candidates based on skills and experience. Because of that, tailoring your resume and keeping your LinkedIn profile clear and up to date matter more than ever.”
An article from St. John’s University titled “How AI Impacts Students Entering the Job Market” it reports that 78% of organizations now use artificial intelligence in at least one business function, a rapid increase in recent years. As companies turn to automation for standard tasks, they are shrinking junior-level positions — the same roles traditionally designed to train new graduates. Instead of hiring beginners to perform basic administrative and research duties, employers increasingly rely on AI programs to complete those responsibilities immediately.
Michael Phillips-Anderson Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Monmouth University in the Department of Communication, believes that this trend has already taken place for some time. “Many companies don’t want to spend money to train new employees, so the employees need to get the experience without pay, often in the form of internships that inappropriately, and sometimes illegally take the place of entry-level positions. AI will likely exacerbate this trend by replacing entry level workers with AI. It doesn’t seem like people have thought about what will happen when the higher-level workers retire, and there will be no one with experience left to take their place,” said Phillips-Anderson.
The troubling trends have been measurable. Workers between the ages of 22 to 25 in AI-exposed industries have experienced a 13% employment decline compared to older workers, suggesting that the earliest stage of a career is beginning to decline. This does not mean the elimination of jobs entirely, but it concentrates on the hiring process toward candidates who can already work individually.
CNBC report called “How AI is killing the value of a College Degree,” described the growing challenge students face today with positions labeled entry-level increasingly requiring prior experience due to companies expecting new hires to contribute immediately rather than train on the job. Positions once used as professional training — assistants, junior analysts, production aides — are now automated or merged into higher-skill positions.
Kristine Simoes, A.P.. R., Senior Specialist Professor in the Department of Communication, spoke on the barriers that students must overcome to land an interview and a job. “Students have to know the answers to the AI questions on job interviews. Questions such as, ‘How do they use AI to complete tasks associated with potential jobs and roles at an organization?’”
Many graduates are competing for jobs that no longer serve as learning opportunities. Tasks that once taught the fundamentals of a profession can now be completed by AI in seconds. Companies still need employees, but fewer workers are learning basic responsibilities.
A recent survey by Indeed found that 51% of Gen Z professionals consider their college degree a waste of money, compared to 41% of millennials and just 20% of baby boomers. For many younger graduates, the cost of education, combined with student loan burdens and an uncertain job market, has made them question whether college was the right path. Abby White, who is a senior communication major, and president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), spoke on the issues that many Gen Z students face. “The job and even internship search is tough. A lot of them that pertain to my degree require hours on site that do not align with my school schedule and sometimes my degree. And a lot of jobs in my field require years of experience,” said White.
White recognizes the struggle in securing a job post-graduation. “I know people who have applied for hundreds of jobs and can’t even land an interview, so hearing things like that scares me for when I graduate,” she added.
AI has presented another level of doubt for recent graduates. About one-third of college-educated workers believe AI has already made their degree irrelevant, according to Indeed — a figure that climbs to 45% among Gen Z.
Although the overall significance of a college degree has not lost its importance, Professor Phillips-Anderson agrees that students should evaluate closely what they want out of their college experience, especially in AI environment. “The return on investment for college graduates is still positive. Whether students want more professional skills or more exploration of ideas, they should be conscious of how much they are paying for the experience. As far as what students should be learning, I think the focus should be less on routine tasks and more on creative and critical thinking. It is less effective at replicating human communication and truly original thought. People who work in creative fields, like marketing or graphic design, but can’t produce work that is better than an AI are going to be in a tough spot,” he said.
The larger labor market reinforces the challenge. CNBC highlights that unemployment among recent graduates reached 8.6% in June 2025, while many entry-level postings still required two to three years of experience. Rising living costs and average student debt of roughly $33,500 per borrower add financial pressure as graduates attempt to establish independence.
Companies have also slowed hiring, concentrating on retention during inflation and economic insecurity.
The CNBC report also indicates a new shift in hiring strategy. Businesses previously hired junior employees to perform repetitive support work and steadily develop expertise. With automation handling that early workload, companies are hiring fewer workers but expect them to perform close to mid-level competency from the day you’re hired. The traditional “learn on the job” phase is disappearing, leaving graduates to develop professional skills before employment rather than after it.
“Businesses are trying to streamline their costs and hiring practices. They can hire one person to do two people’s jobs with the help of AI. Because of that streamline involving AI, it cuts the time that you need two forty hours a week employees when it is more effective to have only one,” said Simoes.
Technology is central to the evolution of change within the job market. AI is now capable of writing reports, generating code, analyzing data and producing media content which ultimately reduces the need for entry-level work. Employers are progressively seeking workerswho can supervise, process and understand AI instead of producing it. According to an article in Forbes by Bryan Robinson titled, ‘Where The Jobs Are In 2026 – And How To Actually Land One,” it suggests that jobs themselves are not disappearing but relocating. Expectations of growth in technology-driven fields such as cybersecurity, data analysis, logistics, and health care, while normal office jobs are declining. Hiring experts stress that job seekers succeed by demonstrating realistic value through projects and relationships rather than submitting large numbers of online applications.
The future may seem bright for some, but the alternative for others leaves them in a tough position when looking for employment. “AI will likely alter most of what was thought of as professional or white-collar or college-graduate jobs. It’s even affecting jobs that seem more technology-proof, like teaching and psychotherapy. Human skills that will hopefully stay ahead of AI are those that involve human connection, communication, and persuasion. The creativity of workers continue to be a skill that needs to be developed,” said Phillips-Anderson.
Employers increasingly favor workers who can show considerable results instead of those presenting only coursework credentials. Networking, internships, and hands-on experience now function as primary hiring signals.
Sage Hernandez, a junior communication major, spoke about her worries in the upcoming years of securing a job after graduating. “A lot of what we learn today is being taken over by AI and so it is important to understand how to use it for professional tasks. Finding a job shortly after graduating is worrying because as a communication student, I fear that I won’t find a job that I went to school for and instead those jobs will be gone and done by AI.”
Companies are increasingly looking for workers who can collaborate with AI rather than compete against it. St. John’s cites that AI primarily automates routine processes while human workers focus on communication, judgment and creativity. The report also warns the adjustment is ongoing: 40% of workers will need reskilling within three years as AI expands across industries.
“AI doesn’t replace the human side of hiring. Networking, interviews, communication skills, and professionalism still matter. Career Development is always available to help students navigate this process and feel confident in today’s job market,” Ricca said.
