AI Is Killing Entry-Level Jobs: Here’s How Colleges Can Save Your Career

Traditionally, the path from classroom to career was straightforward: land an entry-level job, gain hands-on experience, and climb the ladder. That first job wasn’t just employment—it was valuable career training. But now, AI is automating many tasks that once defined entry-level roles, causing a decline in demand for these positions and reshaping required skills. The bridge between education and employment is eroding. In fact, 66% of hiring managers say recent hires aren’t fully prepared, mainly due to lack of experience.

Even before AI, internships—another vital link—were disappearing. In 2023, nearly 4.6 million students who wanted internships couldn’t get one. Yet 87% of employed graduates say internships helped them land jobs. As internships become harder to access and AI reshapes entry-level jobs, a widening experience gap leaves new graduates without real-world application opportunities.

Colleges Must Redesign How Experience Is Delivered

The goal of education is to prepare individuals for employment. But with AI altering entry-level work, institutions can no longer assume students will gain practical experience after graduation. Workforce readiness must be embedded into the educational experience itself.

Students are signaling this need: 56% of unprepared graduates cite lack of job-specific skills, and 79% of Gen Z want on-the-job learning during their education. Here’s how institutions can close the experience gap:

1. Embed experience directly into the curriculum Experiential learning must be core, not an add-on. This includes immersive simulations, VR/AR tools mirroring real workplaces, and project-based learning solving real business challenges. As automation takes over procedural tasks, employers value judgment, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving—skills best developed through hands-on experiences. Integrating real-world application ensures every student graduates with practical experience.

2. Build deeper partnerships with employers Closer alignment with employers ensures education keeps pace with workforce needs. Employers provide real-time insights into in-demand skills and evolving trends—critical as AI accelerates change. Static degree programs can’t adapt quickly without employer collaboration. Partnerships should extend into co-ops and apprenticeships, creating reliable pipelines. For example, Northeastern’s co-op program reports 97% employment within nine months, and 58% receive job offers from previous co-op employers. These programs expose students to working alongside AI in real-world environments.

3. Redefine how outcomes are measured AI forces higher education to ask: Are institutions truly preparing students for modern work? Answering requires focusing on outcomes that matter—employment and career progression. By tracking these, institutions can identify strengths and gaps, continuously improving workforce readiness. Success isn’t just about classroom performance; it’s about what happens after graduation.

AI is forcing a fundamental rethink of how workers gain experience and transition into professional life. If entry-level work no longer serves as training ground, higher education must fill the gap—but not alone. Preparing the next generation requires a shared effort among educators, employers, and policymakers. Policymakers must expand access to workforce-aligned learning, and employers must invest in early-career development and institutional partnerships.

The question isn’t whether AI will reshape the first rung of the career ladder—it already is. The real challenge is ensuring the next generation still has a way to climb.