With Generative and now Agentic AI everywhere these days, it can be intimidating to discuss concerns over entry-level job opportunities with business students. Those ready to graduate in this environment may be wondering, “Are there any jobs left for us?” There is no shortage of media coverage currently dissecting AI’s impact on the entry-level job market, much of which seems conflicting at best. While the tendency may be to reassure students about what lies ahead, the truth is that nobody really knows exactly how AI’s long-term impact on the job market will ultimately play out. So instead of trying to predict the future, it’s best to concentrate on informed, proactive planning. In other words, remind students to stay laser-focused on what they can directly control. 

What Is Actually Changing at the Entry Level?

What is happening, and is expected to continue, is the shrinking number of purely routine jobs. I am old enough to remember when the second-most-popular (or rather, most common) job in the U.S. was a retail cashier. These jobs obviously still exist, but not in the same quantity as before. For example, if you were to visit your nearest international airport and try to book a flight upon arrival at the terminal, you probably wouldn’t be able to. Reservation agent roles that humans once staffed are now entirely handled by kiosks. The expectation is that you purchase your flight online, and the kiosks are simply for printing baggage tags, boarding passes, and the like. It’s the same with your grocery store and many other retail establishments where you shop. The simple reality is that machines and AI can do automated work more efficiently than humans. What is not disappearing, however, are roles that require problem framing, communication, and ethical decision-making: those involving KSAs (knowledge, skills, and abilities) in which applied human experience matters.

Focus on Durable Skills

Durable skills, once known as “soft skills,” are seeing a resurgence in many college programs due to the fleeting nature of once-touted “hard” (technical) skills, which can often be supplanted by newer technologies in as little as 1-2 years. AI has been a large disruptor in this space. AI has also contributed to a phenomenon known as “cognitive offloading,” arguably making durable skills even more valuable for those willing to put in the work to develop them. As a result, conversations around career planning in an AI-enabled world should include an emphasis on durable skill progression. 

Reframe AI as a Tool

It is important to keep in mind that AI changes how work is done, not whether work exists. For those displaced due to job cuts, that sentiment is not necessarily comforting. However, it may be helpful to know that, for most people, much of the work they do is still necessary and will translate to other organizations and roles. It may require some upskilling or re-skilling to incorporate how the work is changing and how new tools (like AI) are being utilized in the field. There is no shortage of information on how to use AI tools. The challenge is more likely sifting through the vast amount of information to determine what is relevant to an individual’s situation. Remind students that being proactive and willing to experiment with AI tools is key. Rather than becoming overwhelmed, encourage them to consider how they can use AI/tech tools to build lasting value for themselves and the organization.

Reflection Questions:

  1. Think about a specific entry-level role you’re interested in. Which tasks in that role are most likely to be automated by AI, and which tasks will still clearly require human judgment and interaction?

  2. Which durable skills do you think you most need to strengthen to stay employable in an AI-enabled workplace?

  3. What responsibilities do you think colleges and universities have in preparing students for an AI-shaped job market, and where do you see gaps between what’s needed and what’s currently offered?