For years, computer science was considered a golden ticket to a lucrative career in the booming tech sector. But for many fresh graduates, the dream has become a nightmare.
Manasi Mishra, 21, a computer science graduate from Purdue University, grew up near Silicon Valley believing her coding skills would land her a six-figure salary. She built her first website in elementary school, pursued advanced computing courses through college, and prepared herself for a thriving career.
Yet after graduating in May, she found herself with only one interview call—and it wasn’t from a tech firm. “The only company that has called me for an interview is Chipotle,” she said in a viral TikTok video that resonated with thousands of struggling young professionals.
AI Tools Replace Entry-Level Coders
The tech job market has been reshaped by artificial intelligence. Companies increasingly rely on AI coding tools that can generate, optimize, and debug code faster than junior engineers, reducing the need for traditional entry-level hires.
What was once a high-demand profession now faces diminishing opportunities for freshers. Tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have conducted sweeping layoffs, intensifying the problem.
Industry experts warn that AI may not replace all programmers, but it is eliminating the very entry-level jobs that graduates depend on to launch their careers.
Job Hunt Becomes “Soul-Crushing”
The reality is grim for many. Zach Taylor, 25, another computer science graduate, told a reputed news agency that he has applied for nearly 6,000 jobs since 2023 without success. Even outside the industry, opportunities are scarce. “It’s been soul-crushing,” he said, after being rejected by McDonald’s for “lack of experience.”
Audrey Roller, 22, a data science graduate, has tried to highlight her human skills on resumes written without AI assistance. But her efforts feel futile in an automated screening environment. She recounted applying for one role only to receive a rejection email three minutes later, suggesting the decision was made entirely by AI filters.
“Some companies are using AI to screen candidates and removing the human aspect,” she said. “It’s hard to stay motivated when you feel like an algorithm determines whether you get to pay your bills.”
Rising Unemployment Among Tech Graduates
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, unemployment among computer science graduates aged 22–27 has risen to over 6 percent, significantly higher than in recent years.
Economists and career experts say this is the first wave of disruption caused by AI adoption in the workplace. While AI is unlikely to erase programming careers entirely, its rapid integration into corporate systems is wiping out crucial training grounds for new graduates who need entry-level roles to gain experience.
The Future of Human Skills in Tech
Despite the bleak outlook, career coaches encourage graduates to focus on uniquely human capabilities such as problem-solving, creativity, and ethical reasoning, which AI tools cannot easily replicate.
Still, for young professionals like Mishra, Taylor, and Roller, the harsh reality is that the AI revolution has arrived sooner than expected, reshaping not just industries, but individual lives and aspirations.
Source- https://the420.in/ai-boom-computer-science-graduates-job-crisis/