58% of recent Gen Z graduates still seeking full-time work

Approximately 58% of recent Gen Z graduates are currently seeking full-time employment, a significant increase compared to 25% of earlier graduates, including millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers. This trend emerges as millions of students prepare to graduate this spring, facing uncertain job prospects.

Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn’s chief economic opportunity officer, highlighted the challenges posed by a cooling economy and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in a recent op-ed for The New York Times. He noted that AI is threatening entry-level positions that have traditionally served as gateways into the workforce, drawing parallels to the decline of manufacturing jobs in the 1980s.

Raman stated, “Now it is our office workers who are staring down the same kind of technological and economic disruption,” emphasizing that entry-level roles are particularly vulnerable. Many tasks previously performed by junior staff, such as coding and debugging, are now increasingly handled by AI tools. This trend is also evident in sectors like law, retail, and finance, where firms are reportedly reducing entry-level hiring.

Raman pointed out a rising unemployment rate among college graduates, which is outpacing other demographics, as a sign of weakening job prospects. However, he noted that there is no definitive evidence linking this trend directly to AI at this time.

Despite these challenges, Raman reassured that entry-level positions are not disappearing entirely. Executives still value the fresh perspectives that younger workers bring, and in some instances, AI is allowing junior staff to engage in more meaningful tasks earlier in their careers. Nonetheless, he warned that the ongoing shift in sectors like technology is likely to affect other industries, particularly office jobs.