The Future of College Graduates in the AI Workforce

AI is reshaping entry-level work, making the path from degree to first job much harder to predict. As employers automate junior tasks and trim entry-level roles, even once-reliable career pathways are becoming uncertain. The skills and experiences graduates need to compete are shifting fast—and higher education leaders need a practical way to prepare students for this evolving landscape.

This paper uses foresight methodology to outline four plausible futures for early-career work over the next five to 10 years. Each scenario includes clear implications for how institutions support students—from advising and career services to experiential learning and alumni engagement. It also breaks down what drivers are shaping the entry-level labor market, so you know what signals to watch as conditions change.