AI Is Killing Entry-Level Jobs, But These Graduate Careers Are Booming

Graduate Careers Thriving in the AI Era

Recently graduated with a bachelor's degree but struggling to find work? Graduate school in specific fields could be your ticket to better job prospects.

Why the Job Market Is Tough for New Grads

This year's labor market has been slow to add workers, with tariffs limiting hiring capabilities. A major factor contributing to this slowdown, especially for recent college graduates, is the growing presence of AI in the workforce. These challenges are pushing many students toward graduate school instead of immediate entry into the job market.

High-Demand Graduate Careers

Not all graduate degrees offer equal opportunities. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, certain fields are expected to see high demand over the next nine years:

• Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected to have the highest number of job openings among graduate degree holders.
• Lawyers and education and career counselors are also expected to see plentiful job opportunities.

Graduate School as a Strategic Alternative

Recent college graduates typically face lower unemployment rates than the general workforce, but entry-level positions are being disproportionately replaced by AI. Many young workers feel unprepared for a technology-driven workforce.

More bachelor's degree graduates are seeking alternative paths:

• Law school applications during the 2024-2025 admissions cycle reached their highest level in over a decade.
• Attending graduate school can delay student loan repayment and often leads to higher-paying jobs compared to positions available to those with only bachelor's degrees.

Why This Matters for Your Career

As more undergraduate students complete their education and enter a stagnant job market, graduate school is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Understanding which graduate degrees are most likely to lead to employment can set students up for long-term success in an evolving workforce.