By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
I’d tell students this: don’t panic, but don’t be passive either. Yes, the job market feels tough right now. Yes, AI is changing how companies hire. And yes, a lot of entry-level jobs are getting more competitive. But that does not mean you’re doomed. It means you need a smarter approach than the one people used a few years ago.
The old idea was simple: graduate, apply online, wait for responses, and hope for the best. That approach is much weaker now. A lot of hiring is filtered, automated, or slowed down. So if you only apply and wait, you may end up frustrated. You need to do more than that.
What helps now is showing proof that you can do useful work. That could be internships, school projects, volunteer work, part-time jobs, freelance work, or even a strong portfolio. Employers want people who can solve problems, learn quickly, and communicate clearly. A degree matters, but it is no longer enough by itself.
You also need to use your network. That does not mean being fake or pushy. It means talking to people, asking good questions, and letting people know what kind of role you want. A lot of jobs never get filled through open applications alone. They get filled because someone knew someone who seemed reliable and ready.
And yes, learn to use AI. Not because it replaces you, but because it makes you more effective. If you can use AI to research, draft, organize, brainstorm, or prepare faster than other candidates, that gives you an edge. The people who will do best are not the ones who fear AI the most. They are the ones who learn how to work with it.
The biggest thing I’d say is this: don’t let the noise talk you out of your future. Every generation graduates into some kind of mess. This one just happens to include AI, automation, and a lot of anxiety. That is real. But so is opportunity. If you stay focused, build skills, make connections, and keep moving, you can absolutely find your way in.
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
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