Landing that first job in tech has become significantly tougher for recent graduates, signaling a shift that’s causing deep concern for those starting their careers. LinkedIn’s top economic opportunity expert, Aneesh Raman, recently pointed out the accelerating decline in entry-level openings, emphasizing that the foundational tier of the career ladder is essentially “breaking,” largely as a result of artificial intelligence replacing roles traditionally held by newcomers.
The figures underscore a sobering trend: according to recent data released by venture capital firm SignalFire, the 15 largest tech companies have slashed their hiring of new college graduates by more than half compared to pre-pandemic levels. Before 2019, new grads made up around 15% of hires in major tech; today, that number has fallen sharply to approximately 7%.
Yet the picture isn’t entirely bleak. Despite the contraction at traditional Big Tech employers, technology jobs overall are not shrinking. Instead, they’re dispersing across sectors like healthcare, finance, retail, and beyond. Current forecasts indicate that tech-related positions are set to expand from approximately 6 million today to 7.1 million by 2034. Demand remains particularly high in areas like software development, where the unemployment rate sits at around 2.2%—about half the national average.
However, there’s a catch. Employers now increasingly expect foundational AI knowledge as a baseline skill. Recent studies note that 87% of hiring managers place significant value on candidates’ AI experience, and almost a quarter of all technology job listings now explicitly require some form of AI proficiency. This new priority underscores AI’s growing dominance as an essential capability, adding yet another hurdle for recent graduates trying to enter the workforce.
