Computer science graduates struggle to secure their first jobs

Eddie Hart studied Computer Science and Cyber ​​Security at Newcastle University, graduating in 2024.

He says he knew getting into a tech job wouldn't be easy, but “I thought it would be a little easier.”

Even when “junior” roles were advertised, they often required two or more years of professional experience, Mr. Hart said.

“It’s unrealistic and it just discourages good candidates from even trying.”

It seems clear to him that potential employers are using artificial intelligence tools to automate the simpler parts of programmers' jobs, tasks that traditionally allow newbies to gain experience.

While companies certainly benefit from using AI in some aspects of their operations, Mr. Hart says, “I don't think replacing AI developers entirely is sustainable.”

ChatGPT and other coding tools have been blamed for the decline in tech jobs, especially for young software developers and engineers.

Report from the UK National Educational Research Foundation. showed a 50% reduction in technology job advertisements between 2019/20 and 2024/25, with entry-level positions particularly affected.

The report cited “the expected impact of artificial intelligence” as one of the factors behind this.

At the same time, software developers widely use artificial intelligence tools while expressing distrust in their results.

Stack Overflow Researchsoftware knowledge platform, shows that almost half use artificial intelligence tools daily, despite only one third actually trusting the results of such tools.

Prashant Chandrasekhar, CEO of Stack Overflow, says it's a “challenging time to release.”

More broadly, he said, research shows that developers are choosing to stay put, despite many expressing dissatisfaction with their performance. “People are probably running a little bit for safety.”

All this means that it's becoming increasingly difficult for young technologists to get that important first job.

Job search stress is also increasing due to the use of AI in the job application process.

Mr Hart faced one highly automated application process that consisted of eight steps, the first of which involved answering 20 exam questions about himself.

Such exercises can take hours.

Friends were asked to record and upload answers to interview-style questions.

“And then it’s just checked by the AI, and the computer makes the decision. It feels like you don’t get the same respect, at least if the person rejects you,” he says.

Colin, who did not want his full name used, studied computer science at university and graduated in 2024.

He spent almost a year working on the recruitment process for a large company, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Even small firms often use AI to screen applications, he says, meaning resumes need to be structured to be “AI friendly.”

Colin then discovered that he was being interviewed by people “who clearly hadn’t read my CV.”

Both Mr Hart and Colin said they knew senior positions still existed. But they wondered who would fill them if young developers like them couldn't secure the jobs.

Paul Dix, CTO and co-founder of California-based database company InfluxData, says that in any economic downturn or shock, junior software developers are hit the hardest.

But he says, “If no one is hiring younger developers, then you'll end up not having any senior developers, because you'll completely destroy your pipeline.”

On a more positive note, Rajeev Ramaswamy, CEO of US enterprise cloud technology company Nutanix, says: “Some of these young people coming out of college actually have more experience using artificial intelligence tools compared to traditional ways of programming.”

Ramaswamy adds: “I believe the talent market is the best we have seen in the last few years.”

Mr Chandrasekhar says the industry has always had an “apprenticeship” model, with a stream of young people coming in and working with senior developers.

And, in his opinion, executives and companies that have invested heavily in artificial intelligence technologies are under pressure to show some return on those investments. Even if it came at the cost of simply cutting back on hiring.

The Stack Overflow study also found that while 64% of developers perceive AI as a threat to their jobs, this is down four percentage points from the previous year.

“Now they have seen some limitations when you need people in the process,” notes Mr. Chandrasekhar.

Previous technology disruptions have raised fears that both senior and junior positions will disappear, Mr. Chandrasekhar says. But they invariably lead to more jobs as people discover new problems and challenges.

“Technologists and developers will have an insatiable appetite to create things that help solve these problems.”

But for some of today's graduates, this surge in demand may not come in time.

Mr Hart landed a position as a security engineer at UK cybersecurity firm Threatspike, which he achieved through a very people-centric work process.

Meanwhile, Colin has turned his back on technology altogether and is considering a career in the police.