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September 12, 2025
The Vanishing Entry-Level and the Compass of a Major
Think of the job market like a trail.
Some routes are well worn, others are suddenly blocked,
and a few new ones are opening thanks to AI.
For students about to step onto the trail, the question isn’t
“ Will there be jobs? ”
“ Which direction will help me keep walking forward? ”
1. The Paradox of Big Tech
Here’s the first strange view on the path :
companies like Microsoft cut more than 15,000 jobs in 2025, including 9,000 in July alone
— all while reporting strong profits.
CEO Satya Nadella admitted the layoffs were
“ weighing heavily ” on him,
but explained that billions poured into GPUs
and AI data centers left no choice.
For students, the message is clear :
even stable giants can shift suddenly when AI is involved.
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2. The Vanishing Entry-Level
Another blocked path :
entry-level jobs are thinning out.
Meta laid off about 3,700 employees (≈5% of its workforce)
in early 2025, continuing a trend of strict downsizing.
Meanwhile, tasks that once went to juniors
— sorting data, writing simple code
— are now handled by AI.
Employers are asking for
“ entry-level hires with experience.”
If you’re about to graduate,
that can feel like the trailhead itself is gone.
But it just means the first steps need to be different :
projects, internships, or collaborations
that show you can already walk part of the path.
3. The Core Compass
The job market numbers reflect it too :
in July 2025, the U.S. added only 73,000 jobs
— well below expectations
— with earlier months revised downward.
Young graduates in particular are struggling,
with unemployment higher among new entrants than older cohorts.
So what’s your compass here?
Yes, learn AI tools.
Yes, build a portfolio.
But the real compass is choosing a major that fits who you are.
When your field aligns with your interest,
every skill update feels like an upgrade — not a burden.
That’s how you stay adaptable in an age
where the trail keeps changing.
🟦 AI fluency
: use tools, coding basics, and data skills
🟦 Project-based portfolio
: internships, hackathons, open-source work
Your major is not just a degree
— it’s the foundation for a lifetime of adaptability in the age of AI.
🌱 Next Steps for Students
1. Audit your interests
– List what genuinely excites you, then map majors or fields connected to those passions.
2. Build one project now
– Even a small app, design, or report shows initiative and gives you talking points.
3. Learn with AI, not against it
– Experiment with AI tools to see how they can extend your abilities.
4. Find mentors and peers
– Surround yourself with people who are also exploring the new landscape; careers grow in communities.
📚 Further Reading
- Business Insider. (2025, July). Microsoft employees react to Nadella memo.
- TechRadar. (2025, July). Microsoft CEO on AI-first transition and job cuts.
- Wall Street Journal. (2025, Feb). Meta begins layoffs, targets 5% workforce cut.
- WSJ Careers. (2025, July). AI disrupts entry-level job market.
- BLS. (2025, Aug). Employment Situation
- Reuters. (2025, Aug). U.S. job growth hits stall speed.
- AP News. (2025, Aug). Job cuts hitting fresh graduates hardest.
- Strada Institute & Burning Glass Institute. (2024)
