Current Job Market Reality
- Unemployment for college degree-holders aged 22-27 is almost 6%, the highest since the pandemic
- This rate is significantly worse than the overall unemployment rate of 4%, creating an unusual inversion rarely seen in the past three decades
- Recent graduates are struggling to find work despite having degrees, with some considering service jobs while waiting out the market
AI’s Role (Mixed Impact)
- Only about 6% of firms across the economy have adopted AI technology according to Goldman Sachs The tough job market for new college grads probably isn’t all due to AI
- In tech specifically, AI impact is more significant – new graduate hires by Big Tech fell 25% since 2023
- AI can now handle entry-level coding tasks that were traditionally learning opportunities for junior developers
- Tech companies increasingly brag about AI-generated code while simultaneously announcing layoffs
source: https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/06/30/why-college-grads-are-struggling-to-find-work