New grads coming out of college are always up against stiff competition to break into their industry. But today, they have to worry about competition from more than their classmates and other professionals in the work world. They also might be up against competition from artificial intelligence (AI).
This is something our Toronto-based IT recruiter, Riel LaPointe, has started to hear rumblings of from job candidates. Many are worried that AI tools will wipe out jobs that would otherwise have been earmarked for new graduates in previous years.
Is AI making it harder for new graduates to find work? Riel discusses this topic below:
3 Reasons It’s More Challenging For New Grads To Find Work
A recent article in The Atlantic by Derek Thompson points to three potential reasons why AI is making it more difficult for those entering the workforce to find a job:
1. The labour market never fully recovered for young people post-COVID
Many of the companies that were hit the hardest during the pandemic have yet to or will never fully recover from the effects of the pandemic. The type of roles companies would hire for pre-pandemic simply were not replenished.
2. College degrees are not as valuable as they were in the past
How employers assess candidates has shifted. A college degree doesn’t give graduates as much of an advantage as it once did. Many employers are more willing to consider candidates from all types of backgrounds, not just those with a degree.
3. AI is starting to shift the economy
A weak labour market for new graduates could be a sign that AI tools are starting to replace the jobs that were once taken up by entry-level employees and new grads. It could be a sign that companies are now looking to AI for solutions rather than hiring externally.
Hiring Managers Plan to Rely More on AI
According to a recent report by SHRM, 78% of hiring managers said AI use will lead to layoffs for recent graduates. This is not great news for new graduates, but AI is quickly becoming part of how businesses operate. The research also found:
- Performing data entry (73%), writing emails (73%), and handling research (63%) were the top three tasks that hiring managers said AI can complete
- 70% of respondents said AI can do the jobs of interns.
- 57% trust AI’s work more than the work of interns and recent graduates.
- 69% said AI can do the work of a recent college graduate
What New Graduates Can Do To Compete With AI
New graduates coming out of college need to have AI skills to make themselves a more attractive candidates. Here are some things new grads can do:
- Learn how to use different AI tools
- Figure out what AI tools are used in your industry
- Take AI certifications courses
- Understand the types of roles in your industry that are more likely to be replaced by AI
- Follow your industry trends and developments to add new skills as required
A Final Word About AI Challenges For New Graduates
While the rise of AI presents new challenges for recent graduates entering the workforce, it also offers an opportunity for those who are willing to adapt. The landscape may be shifting, but new grads can stay competitive by gaining relevant AI skills, understanding how technology is transforming their industry, and continuing to build real-world experience. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, graduates should see it as a tool they can leverage to stand out.
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