Eps.70 | Crossing the career chasm: preparing students for the shift in employment demand

Jun 20, 2025

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Tim Bond explores the substantial shift happening in graduate employment as companies increasingly prioritise "AI natives" over traditional degree holders. This episode examines how the conventional university-to-job pipeline is fracturing and what this means for students, parents, and educators navigating an uncertain future.

Using insights from leading experts including Sam Altman from OpenAI, alongside research from McKinsey, the World Economic Forum, Microsoft, and LinkedIn, this episode unpacks the emergence of "AI-first hiring" and its implications for the next generation entering the workforce.

Key topics covered:

• Why 66% of business leaders won't hire candidates without AI skills

• The "chasm challenge" - the dangerous gap between job displacement and job creation

• How major consulting firms like McKinsey are reducing their graduate intake

• The decline in confidence in higher education

• Alternative pathways emerging beyond traditional degrees

• Essential skills for succeeding in an AI-augmented workplace

• Practical strategies for future-proofing your career

The episode reveals both concerning realities and also opportunities for those who understand and adapt to these changes. From the rise of apprenticeships at companies like IBM and Microsoft to the growing importance of hybrid skills that combine AI fluency with uniquely human capabilities, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the changing employment landscape.

Timestamps:

• 02:09 The emergence of AI-first hiring practices
• 04:00 Data on employer preferences for AI skills
• 06:00 New job categories and roles being created
• 07:00 Understanding the "chasm challenge"
• 09:00 Adapting to exponential change
• 11:00 The education system's struggle to keep pace
• 13:00 Alternative pathways to traditional education
• 17:00 Essential skills for the AI-augmented workplace
• 20:00 Seven-step roadmap for career future-proofing
• 24:00 Final thoughts and call for perspectives

Want to learn more?

Listen to the AI Daily Brief - 20 New jobs AI might create - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IubJxqwd3ZF9KSuHs8mw0

Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/

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