This shift has transformed the post-graduation experience into a "bruising ordeal" for many young workers. Data shows that Gen Z face a deeply competitive job market

Entry-level job postings in the US have dropped significantly, with some reports citing a 35% decline in just 18 months.

Tasks like data gathering, preliminary analysis, and drafting reports—which once took a junior analyst days—can now be completed by senior staff using AI in under an hour.

Many roles labeled "entry-level" now demand prior experience or "day-one productivity" as companies seek to minimize training time. The Human Cost

For decades, the entry-level deal was simple: you showed up with potential, the company provided training through repetitive but necessary tasks, and you built the "muscle memory" required to advance.

The "deep story" of entry-level jobs is currently one of a vanishing first rung on the career ladder, as automation and AI rapidly consume the "grunt work" tasks that historically served as a training ground for new professionals. The Vanishing Rung