Most graduates now fear AI will replace their first jobs
A Monster survey of more than 1,000 recent and upcoming graduates found 89 percent worry that artificial intelligence could replace entry level roles. The share rose from 64 percent in last year's report. Half of respondents used AI during their coursework, but only 36 percent feel prepared to use it at work. Just 32 percent have applied AI tools while hunting for jobs. Sixty nine percent believe AI skills will give them an advantage over other candidates, yet 58 percent report anxiety about using the technology professionally.
Until now graduates assumed their degree alone would signal readiness for roles in research, marketing or communications. Employers added AI proficiency to job descriptions without changing what the work actually requires, leaving most applicants submitting unchanged CVs that reveal nothing about tool use. The survey shows anxiety has spread faster than practical attempts to close the gap. This creates a narrow window where the minority who produce even one concrete example of AI applied to their subject knowledge will separate themselves from peers who only express concern.
Analysis
The numbers confirm most candidates are stuck in worry rather than demonstration, which hands an immediate edge to anyone who shows rather than states. Choose one active job posting that mentions AI skills, generate a single short sample using ChatGPT on a task drawn from your degree subject, and attach that sample to your next three applications.
Citation
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