Today, Explained AI took your job
209 snips
Aug 25, 2025 Colton Massey, a recent software engineering graduate, shares his frustrations about the job hunt, feeling lost amidst countless applications and little feedback. Lindsay Ellis, a writer for The Wall Street Journal who specializes in workforce issues, discusses how AI is reshaping hiring processes, often leaving entry-level roles vulnerable. They delve into the emotional toll of job searching, the pressure of societal expectations, and the struggle to remain optimistic in a competitive market where technology seems to close doors rather than open them.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Recent Grad's Job Hunt Nightmare
- Colton Massey, a 2025 software engineering grad, applied to dozens of jobs and got zero interviews despite internships and focused study.
- He describes hours staring at screens, automated responses, and living with parents while hunting for work.
Thousands Of Applications Tracked In Spreadsheets
- Jobseekers across the U.S. reported sending hundreds or thousands of applications and tracking them in spreadsheets.
- Many people still hustle for connections and public postings but see little traction in a stalled market.
AI Layered On A Slowing Job Market
- AI is one layer among many (layoffs, inflation, geopolitics) that made employers slow hiring since 2022–2023.
- Employers now often don't request entry-level staff because AI handles routine tasks that juniors used to do.