For years, entry-level jobs have been a rite of passage for new graduates. But with AI now handling many of those once-basic tasks, Gen Z workers may be entering a workforce that no longer has room for them.
At least, that’s the warning from LinkedIn’s Chief Economist Karin Kimbrough, who says artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping how work begins—and Gen Z may be the generation that feels the sting.
Entry-Level Isn’t Entry Anymore
“AI is breaking entry-level jobs,” Kimbrough said during a recent panel discussion, citing a wave of automation that’s made it easier for companies to hand off simple, repetitive tasks—once assigned to interns or junior hires—to machine-learning tools.
These aren’t far-off predictions. From automated email responses to AI-generated reports, the very tasks that once gave young professionals experience, training, and exposure are vanishing. What’s left is a talent bottleneck: how do you prove yourself when you never get the chance to start?
The New Career Catch-22
The issue is becoming a classic Catch-22 for Gen Z: employers want experience, but AI is eliminating the jobs that provide it. “We’re asking young workers to come in fully formed,” Kimbrough said. “But we’re not giving them the tools to develop in the first place.”
A recent report from PwC supports the concern. It found that 30% of business leaders plan to reduce entry-level hiring over the next two years due to generative AI—yet only 18% say they have a plan to replace that with meaningful upskilling or mentorship.
What This Means for the Future of Work
In the short term, companies may enjoy the efficiency and lower costs that AI brings. But Kimbrough and others warn that this could backfire. Without a robust pipeline of trained talent, organizations risk a skills drought in three to five years.
And Gen Z? They’re already feeling it. A LinkedIn study shows that recent graduates are applying to 25% more jobs than they were five years ago, but landing 20% fewer interviews. The skills gap isn’t just technical—it’s opportunity-driven.
How Gen Z Can Navigate This Shift
Kimbrough advises young workers to focus on what AI can’t do: emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. “This is a moment for resilience and adaptability,” she said. “The jobs are changing—but so are the skills that matter most.”
Still, that doesn’t erase the structural problem. If companies want to future-proof their workforce, they’ll need to do more than outsource the basics. They’ll need to rebuild the ladder entirely—starting at the very first rung.
