A recent survey from Prospects at Jisc reveals that 11% of graduates have already altered their career plans over concerns that AI could render their intended roles obsolete . Conducted in mid‑2025 with over 4,000 respondents, the Early Careers Survey highlights a surge in anxiety among university leavers contemplating the evolving job market shaped by artificial intelligence .
The ripple effects extend beyond those actively pivoting. Approximately 14% of graduates report feeling pessimistic about their future prospects due to rising automation, while 43% already express a desire to leave their current employment amid fears of career stagnation . Creative and technical sectors—including coding, graphic design, legal support, data science, film, and art—rank among the most vulnerable, as graduates perceive them as particularly susceptible to AI displacement .
Real-world testimonies underscore the trend. Moli Hitchen, a Korean and Japanese language graduate, related, “I wanted to pursue a career in translation. Due to the advancement in AI … the need for human translators is rapidly decreasing. I am now leaning towards consultancy or marketing” . Similarly, Laura Tinsley, studying policing, described shifting her ambitions toward intelligence roles in criminal justice to cope with AI‑facilitated crime—an option she had previously never considered .
Despite these anxieties, AI also presents new possibilities. Nearly 20% of respondents have turned to generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot for career advice, and 84% of users found them helpful . Many graduates now use AI to revise CVs, write cover letters, and prepare for interviews, enabling a broader and more efficient job search—with 27% having submitted over 50 applications each, reflecting intensified competition for fewer entry‑level roles .
Looking ahead, the implications for both individual career planning and broader workforce policy are profound. As AI reshapes nearly 70% of job skills by 2030, according to LinkedIn’s work‑change projections, adaptability and lifelong learning become essential touchstones for success in the evolving landscape . Experts recommend that graduates emphasise problem‑solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical thinking—skills less likely to be automated—and seek roles that augment rather than replicate AI, such as consultancy, intelligence, data analytics, and emerging AI‑complementary professions .
In sum, while 11% of graduates have already shifted their career trajectories amid fears of AI disruption, the phenomenon reflects a broader reconfiguration of the entry‑level job ecosystem. Graduates face a dual challenge: mitigating displacement in traditional fields while embracing new opportunities created by AI. For career advisors, educators, and policymakers alike, the urgent task is to support emerging professionals through reskilling, mentorship, and pathways that emphasise uniquely human skills and adaptive expertise.
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