Computer science graduates struggle to secure their first jobs

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

He says he knew moving into the tech workforce can be a problem, however “I believed it will be a bit simpler”.

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

“It isn’t life like, 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 less complicated components of coder’s work, duties which might historically enable newcomers to construct up expertise.

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

ChatGPT, and different coding instruments, are being blamed for a collapse in tech job openings, significantly 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 significantly affected.

The report cited the “anticipated affect of synthetic intelligence” as one of many elements 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, exhibits nearly half use AI instruments every day, regardless of only one third truly 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 exhibits builders are selecting to remain put, regardless of many expressing dissatisfaction with their work. “Individuals are in all probability operating for security a 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 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 workouts can take up hours of time.

Mates had been requested to file and add solutions to interview type questions.

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

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

He spent nearly a 12 months working via the recruitment course of for one massive firm – solely to be in the end unsuccessful.

Even smaller companies typically use AI to display functions, he says, which means CVs need to 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 obtained hit hardest.

However he says, “If no person’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 one of the best we have seen in a number of years.”

Mr Chandrasekar says the business 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 stress to indicate some return on that funding. Even when that was by merely reducing again on hiring.

Stack Overflow’s analysis additionally discovered that whereas 64% of builders perceived AI as a menace to their jobs, this was 4 proportion 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 end in 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 clear up these issues.”

However that spike in demand won’t are available time for a few of at this time’s graduates.

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