Computer science graduates struggle to secure their first jobs

Computer science graduates are facing a tough time finding their first jobs, even though technology is a growing field. Eddie Hart, who studied computer science and cybersecurity at Newcastle University and graduated in 2024, thought it would be easier to get into the tech industry. However, he quickly realized that even entry-level positions often require two or more years of professional experience. Eddie finds this unrealistic and discouraging, especially for talented candidates who are just starting out. He believes that companies are using artificial intelligence to automate simple coding tasks, which used to be a way for new employees to gain experience and learn on the job. While AI can help companies work more efficiently, Eddie does not think it is a good idea to replace developers completely with machines.

The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT is being blamed for the decrease in job opportunities for young software developers and engineers. According to a report from the UK's National Foundation for Education Research, there has been a significant drop in tech job advertisements between 2019 and 2024, with entry-level roles being hit the hardest. The report points to the expected impact of artificial intelligence as one of the main reasons for this decline. At the same time, many developers are using AI coding tools every day, but only about a third of them actually trust the results these tools produce. Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of Stack Overflow, says it is a difficult time to graduate and look for a job in technology. He notes that many developers are choosing to stay in their current jobs, even if they are not satisfied, because they feel it is safer than looking for something new.

The job application process itself has become more stressful because of AI. Eddie Hart describes one application that had eight stages, starting with 20 exam-style questions about himself. These tasks can take hours to complete, and some of his friends have had to record and upload video answers to interview questions, which are then reviewed by AI instead of a human. Eddie feels this is disrespectful, as candidates do not even get rejected by a real person. Colin, another computer science graduate from 2024, spent almost a year trying to get hired by a large company but was ultimately unsuccessful. He says that even smaller companies use AI to screen applications, so CVs have to be written in a way that is easy for computers to understand. Sometimes, the people interviewing him had not even read his CV. Both Eddie and Colin worry that if young developers cannot get jobs, there will be no senior developers in the future. Paul Dix, CTO and co-founder of InfluxData, warns that if companies stop hiring junior developers, the pipeline for experienced workers will dry up. On a more positive note, Rajiv Ramaswami, CEO of Nutanix, says that some young graduates have more experience with AI tools than older programmers, and he believes the job market for tech talent is improving. Prashanth Chandrasekar adds that the tech industry has always relied on an apprenticeship model, with young people learning from senior developers. He also points out that while many developers see AI as a threat to their jobs, more are starting to recognize its limitations and the need for human involvement. Previous changes in technology have led to fears about job losses, but they often create new opportunities as people find new problems to solve. There will always be a need for technologists and developers to tackle these challenges, even if the demand does not come soon enough for some of today's graduates. Eddie Hart eventually found a job as a security engineer at Threatspike, thanks to a more human-centered hiring process, while Colin is considering a career in the police instead of technology.