Newly hired developers in the United States are facing a different reality than during the past Silicon Valley boom. It is said that unlike before, when having just a computer science degree or a coding course certificate would lead directly to a stable and high-paying job, the situation has changed. Even submitting dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes has made it difficult to even secure an interview.
According to CNN on the 29th (local time), Abraham Rubyon, a computer science major from Montclair State University in New Jersey, applied to 20 jobs right after graduation but has yet to receive an acceptance notice. He noted, "I log into LinkedIn almost every day looking for opportunities, but most companies don't respond at all."
According to the global consulting firm Oxford Economics, the employment rate for new graduates with degrees in computer science and mathematics has decreased by 8% since 2022. The number of job postings for software development on Indeed, the largest job site in the U.S., has dropped by 71% during the same period. While tech corporations are making massive investments in AI, job opportunities for entry-level developers have actually diminished.
◇AI replaces entry-level developer jobs
AI is taking over the writing of simple repetitive code and automating parts of projects. Satya Nadella, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft, revealed, "30% of the company's code is already being written by AI." As a result, there is growing anxiety among graduates that "the role of junior engineers is being replaced."
Julio Rodriguez, a graduate of Massachusetts Elm College, had to apply over 150 times before he landed a data engineer position. He said, "Tech jobs are still attractive, but it seems virtually impossible in today's job market."
The bigger issue is the anxiety that, even if hired, one could be caught up in restructuring at any moment. Microsoft laid off 9,000 employees just weeks after surpassing a corporate value of $4 trillion. The trend of "doing more with fewer people" is being accelerated by AI.
Nick Vinokur was supposed to join the AI startup Scale AI after graduating from the University of Michigan, but his job offer was rescinded due to restructuring following Meta's massive investment. He remarked, "The emergence of AI coding tools feels like a massive wave to junior developers, as if I have to build my own platform while competing with AI."
On TikTok, videos warning against pursuing a computer science major are spreading. One graduate cautioned, "If you choose this path just for the salary, you may regret it," garnering agreement from hundreds of comments.
According to statistics from the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the unemployment rate for computer science majors is 6.1%, while those who major in computer engineering stand at 7.5%, which is higher than English literature (4.9%) or performing arts (2.7%). The once-symbolic fields of "stable jobs" in the sciences are now at the forefront of job market anxiety.
◇Changing curricula to respond... "Creativity is more important"
Due to this trend, the education sector is swiftly changing curricula. The Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington will introduce a new course titled 'AI-assisted software development' this fall. Some advanced classes will allow the use of generative AI to increase difficulty, while foundational courses will continue to emphasize 'learning by hand.'
Coding education programs are also undergoing changes. Previously, aspiring software engineers were the primary clients, but now executives and human resource personnel looking to acquire AI skills are also coming for training. A representative from the coding education institution General Assembly stated, "We realized that all roles had been suspended, and now we include AI elements in all courses."
Corporations are also voicing their opinions. Deepak Singh, Vice President at Amazon, stated, "Computer science is not just simple coding. The key capabilities are understanding systems and creatively solving problems," adding that "as AI takes on repetitive tasks, creativity has become even more important."
David Barajas, a longtime industry professional, also remarked, "AI will not replace engineers. Rather, engineers who use AI will replace those who do not."
A computer science degree remains an attractive option for many. However, the harsh reality altered by AI is undeniable. The notion that "graduates will land jobs at thriving IT companies" is no longer valid. Skills in handling AI tools, creative thinking, and quick adaptability have become new essential requirements.