Six months after graduating with a computer science degree, thousands of young professionals—like your son—are still searching for their first job in the tech industry. Once considered one of the fastest-growing and most secure fields, the technology job market is now showing signs of slowdown and shifting priorities.
Experts say the situation is the result of several
overlapping factors: post-pandemic adjustments, automation, and major layoffs
across top tech companies. While opportunities still exist, the hiring pace has
slowed dramatically compared to the booming years of 2020–2022.
In recent months, major technology giants such as Google,
Meta, and Amazon have announced smaller hiring targets or paused new
recruitment altogether. These companies, which once hired thousands of
graduates each year, are now focused on restructuring teams, cutting costs, and
investing heavily in artificial intelligence. As a result, entry-level roles in
software engineering and data science have become far more competitive.
Industry analysts note that the rise of AI automation
has changed the skill demands in tech. Many companies now prefer candidates
with specialized knowledge in machine learning, cloud computing, and
cybersecurity rather than general programming backgrounds. This shift has left
many computer science graduates feeling unprepared, despite having strong
academic records.
“The industry hasn’t disappeared—it’s transformed,” explains
career consultant Emily Harris. “Tech companies are still hiring, but they’re
looking for niche skills and real-world experience. Fresh graduates need to
focus on hands-on projects, internships, and certifications that prove they can
apply what they’ve learned.”
Another challenge is that remote work and outsourcing
have expanded global competition. Employers can now hire developers from around
the world, often at lower costs. This has made it even harder for new U.S. and
European graduates to land their first position, especially without prior
experience.
However, not all news is bad. Mid-sized startups and
emerging AI-driven companies are quietly expanding their teams. While salaries
may be lower than at major corporations, these roles often provide valuable
experience and faster career growth. Experts recommend graduates look beyond
traditional “big tech” companies and explore opportunities in healthcare
technology, fintech, green tech, and government sectors.
Colleges are also under pressure to update their
curriculums. Many universities still focus heavily on theoretical computer
science, leaving graduates less prepared for modern industry demands such as
DevOps, cloud architecture, and AI tools integration.
For graduates currently struggling to find a job, career
advisors suggest building a strong online portfolio, contributing to
open-source projects, networking on LinkedIn, and earning certifications from
platforms like AWS or Google Cloud.
The bottom line: The tech industry isn’t shrinking—it’s
evolving. The competition is fierce, but opportunities still exist for those
willing to adapt and keep learning. For your son, persistence, reskilling, and
flexibility could make all the difference in today’s challenging yet dynamic
tech job market.