Patrick Boyle On Finance AI and the Death of the Career Ladder
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Dec 1, 2025 The promise of a degree as a ticket to a stable career is crumbling. Graduate unemployment is on the rise, with automation taking over entry-level jobs. Male graduates are hit hardest by AI disruptions, while fields like healthcare remain robust. Corporate hiring is shifting, emphasizing specialized skills over traditional credentials. Non-traditional roles are increasingly appealing, as is the need for networking and mastery of AI tools. Regional differences show some bright spots in southern Europe, suggesting varied opportunities in the changing job landscape.
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Graduate Unemployment Has Inverted
- Graduate unemployment has risen so much that recent grads' unemployment exceeded the national average for the first time in 45 years.
- Degree-holders now make up a growing share of the unemployed, reversing historical expectations.
Grade Inflation Drowns Distinction
- Grade inflation has amplified the problem: more first-class degrees dilute the value of top marks.
- When everyone appears exceptional on paper, distinguishing real talent becomes harder for employers.
Gendered Impact On Graduate Jobs
- The collapse in graduate hiring is gendered: male grads face larger unemployment increases due to clustering in hit sectors like tech and finance.
- Women have fared better because they dominate less-automatable sectors like healthcare.