Computer science graduates struggle to secure their first jobs

Eddie Hart studied laptop science and cybersecurity at Newcastle College, graduating in 2024.

He says he knew entering into the tech workforce could be a problem, however “I believed it could be a bit of simpler”.

Even when “junior” roles had been marketed, they usually demanded two or extra years skilled expertise, Mr Hart says.

“It isn’t reasonable, and it is simply discouraging the nice candidates from even attempting.”

To him it appears clear that potential employers are utilizing AI instruments to automate the less complicated components of coder’s work, duties which might historically permit newcomers to construct up expertise.

Whereas corporations undoubtedly profit from utilizing AI in some components of their operations, says Mr Hart, “I do not assume changing builders completely with AI is sustainable.”

ChatGPT, and different coding instruments, are being blamed for a collapse in tech job openings, notably for youthful software program builders and engineers.

A report by the UK’s Nationwide Basis for Training Analysis showed a 50% decline in tech job adverts between 2019/20 and 2024/25, with entry degree roles notably affected.

The report cited the “anticipated affect of synthetic intelligence” as one of many components behind this.

On the identical time, software program builders have broadly adopted AI code instruments, whereas concurrently expressing mistrust of their output.

Research by Stack Overflow, a software program information platform, reveals virtually half use AI instruments day by day, regardless of only one third really trusting the output of such instruments.

Prashanth Chandrasekar, CEO of Stack Overflow, says it is “a difficult time to graduate”.

Extra broadly, he says, its analysis reveals builders are selecting to remain put, regardless of many expressing dissatisfaction with their work. “Individuals are in all probability working for security a bit of bit.”

All of this implies younger technologists are discovering it tougher to get that vital first job.

The stress of discovering a job can be being raised by way of AI within the job utility course of.

Mr Hart got here throughout one extremely automated utility course of which had eight levels, the primary of which was to reply 20 exam-style questions on himself.

Such workout routines can take up hours of time.

Buddies had been requested to report and add solutions to interview model questions.

“After which that is simply reviewed by AI and a pc makes the choice. It simply seems like you do not get that respect of at the least being rejected by a human,” he says.

Colin, who did not need his full title for use, studied laptop science at college, graduating in 2024.

He spent virtually a 12 months working by way of the recruitment course of for one giant firm – solely to be in the end unsuccessful.

Even smaller corporations usually use AI to display purposes, he says, which means CVs must structured to be “AI pleasant”.

Colin would then discover he was being interviewed by folks “who’ve clearly not learn my CV”.

Each Mr Hart and Colin mentioned they knew the senior roles had been nonetheless on the market. However, they questioned, who will fill them if youthful builders like them had been unable to safe jobs.

Paul Dix, CTO and co-founder at California-based database agency, InfluxData says in any financial downturn or disruption, junior software program builders had been those who received hit hardest.

However he says, “If no one’s hiring youthful builders, then you are going to arrive at this level the place you do not have senior builders both, since you’ve utterly killed your pipeline.”

Extra positively says Rajiv Ramaswami, CEO of US enterprise cloud agency Nutanix, “A few of these youthful of us popping out of school even have extra expertise utilizing AI tooling in comparison with conventional methods of programming.”

Ramaswami provides: “I discover the marketplace for expertise to be one of the best we have seen in a number of years.”

Mr Chandrasekar says the trade had at all times had an “apprenticeship” sort mannequin, with a pipeline of younger folks coming in and dealing with senior builders.

And, he suggests, executives and corporations that had invested closely in AI tech are underneath strain to point out some return on that funding. Even when that was by merely chopping again on hiring.

Stack Overflow’s analysis additionally discovered that whereas 64% of builders perceived AI as a risk to their jobs, this was 4 share factors down on the earlier 12 months.

“They’ve now seen a few of the limitations, the place you want people within the loop,” Mr Chandrasekar notes.

Earlier tech disruptions had sparked fears that each senior or junior jobs would disappear, says Mr Chandrasekar. However invariably they lead to extra jobs as folks uncover new issues and challenges.

“There’s going to be an insatiable urge for food for technologists and builders to go and construct these issues to assist resolve these issues.”

However that spike in demand may not are available time for a few of at the moment’s graduates.

Mr Hart has secured a task as a safety engineer at UK-based cybersecurity agency Threatspike, which he gained by way of a really human centred job course of.

In the meantime, Colin has turned his again on tech altogether and is contemplating a profession within the police.