A 21-year-old computer science graduate from Purdue University in the US grew up near Silicon Valley believing that tech was her ticket to success. Inspired by industry leaders who promised six-figure salaries for coding skills, Manasi Mishra built her first website in elementary school and pursued advanced computing courses through college.
But after graduating in May, she found herself in a job market transformed by AI. Despite her qualifications, the only interview call she received was from one company. “I just graduated with a computer science degree, and the only company that has called me for an interview is Chipotle,” Mishra said in a viral TikTok video, which resonated with thousands of young professionals facing similar setbacks, the New York Times reported.
The tech industry’s shift toward AI coding tools is rapidly shrinking entry-level opportunities. Companies now rely on software that can generate and debug code faster than junior engineers, leaving recent graduates struggling to find work. Layoffs at global tech giants such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have only worsened the outlook.
Zach Taylor, 25, another computer science graduate, has applied to nearly 6,000 tech jobs since 2023—with no offers. “It’s been soul-crushing,” he said, after even being rejected by McDonald’s for “lack of experience.”
Data science graduate Audrey Roller told the publication that she chooses to highlight her human skills in her resume, which she writes unassisted by AI chatbots. But recently, after she applied for a job, a rejection email arrived three minutes later, she said.
“Some companies are using AI to screen candidates and removing the human aspect,” the 22-year-old told the New York Times. “It’s hard to stay motivated when you feel like an algorithm determines whether you get to pay your bills.”
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, unemployment among computer science grads aged 22–27 is now over 6 percent. Experts warn that while AI won’t replace every job, it’s already replacing the ones new graduates need most.