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 moving into the tech workforce could be a problem, however “I believed it could be a little bit simpler”.

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

“It isn’t sensible, and it is simply discouraging the nice candidates from even making an attempt.”

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

Whereas firms undoubtedly profit from utilizing AI in some elements of their operations, says Mr Hart, “I do not assume changing builders totally 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 stage roles notably affected.

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

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

Research by Stack Overflow, a software program data platform, reveals virtually half use AI instruments every 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. “Persons are in all probability working for security a little bit bit.”

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

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

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

Such workouts can take up hours of time.

Mates had been requested to report and add solutions to interview fashion questions.

“After which that is simply reviewed by AI and a pc makes the choice. It simply appears like you aren’t getting that respect of a minimum of 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 yr working by the recruitment course of for one massive firm – solely to be in the end unsuccessful.

Even smaller companies usually use AI to display purposes, he says, which means CVs should 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 stated they knew the senior roles have been nonetheless on the market. However, they puzzled, who will fill them if youthful builders like them have 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 have been those who acquired 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 fully killed your pipeline.”

Extra positively says Rajiv Ramaswami, CEO of US enterprise cloud agency Nutanix, “A few of these youthful people 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 the perfect we have seen in a number of years.”

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

And, he suggests, executives and firms that had invested closely in AI tech are beneath 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 proportion factors down on the earlier yr.

“They’ve now seen among 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 right this moment’s graduates.

Mr Hart has secured a task as a safety engineer at UK-based cybersecurity agency Threatspike, which he gained by 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.