Are Entry-Level Positions Going Away? The Hidden Workforce Shift
Are entry-level jobs going away? If you’ve been job hunting lately, it might feel like they are. Once, new graduates could find jobs that required little to no prior experience, allowing them to build skills while earning a paycheck. But today, many of those same positions demand years of work history, leaving young professionals in a frustrating cycle—unable to get a job because they don’t have experience, but unable to get experience because they can’t get a job. At the same time, AI and automation are reshaping what entry-level work looks like. Some of the jobs that once served as stepping stones into industries are disappearing, while new ones—often requiring technical proficiency—are emerging. This shift raises a big question: are companies eliminating entry-level jobs, or are they simply changing in ways that make them harder to access?
What Is The Meaning Of An Entry-Level Position?
Entry-level jobs have traditionally been jobs that provides on-the-job training rather than requiring extensive prior experience. These roles have long served as a way for companies to develop future talent, allowing workers to gain industry knowledge, improve soft skills, and become proficient in technical tasks.
For decades, entry-level hiring followed a fairly predictable pattern. College graduates or those entering the workforce for the first time would secure a junior role, gain experience, and move up within a company or industry. This system allowed businesses to train employees from the ground up while ensuring a pipeline of skilled workers.
Employers keep raising the bar for what qualifies as “entry-level,” making it harder for new grads to get a foot in the door. A Business Insider report found that 35% of jobs labeled “entry-level” now require at least three years of experience—essentially redefining what entry-level even means. At the same time, more companies are prioritizing skills-based hiring over degrees, with a 2024 NACE study revealing that nearly 65% of employers now focus on specific competencies rather than formal education.
For job seekers, this means experience matters more than ever—but without traditional entry points, many are left wondering where they’re supposed to get it. Employers are no longer looking at these positions as training grounds. Instead, they expect candidates to come in with specialized knowledge, leaving many young professionals at a disadvantage.
What Is An Entry-Level Position Example?
The types of jobs considered entry-level have evolved, especially in industries where automation and AI have changed daily operations. Many traditional entry-level positions in administration, data entry, and customer service have been reduced or replaced by technology. In contrast, new jobs are emerging that require familiarity with AI tools, automation software, or digital platforms.
Some examples of how entry-level roles are shifting:
The problem is that these new roles demand a level of expertise that wasn’t expected from entry-level candidates in the past. Where someone might have previously learned on the job, they are now required to have relevant certifications, AI proficiency, or experience with digital platforms before they even apply.
What Job Titles Are Entry-Level?
While some industries still offer clear entry-level pathways, others have seen significant shifts. In technology, for example, internships and apprenticeships have become more common than traditional entry-level jobs, serving as a way for companies to screen talent before making a full-time hire.
Some current and emerging job titles that serve as entry points into industries include:
Despite these evolving roles, many companies still struggle with hiring. By requiring years of experience for jobs that should serve as starting points, businesses are unintentionally limiting their own talent pipeline.
The Impact Of AI And Automation On Entry-Level Jobs
AI and automation are playing a major role in reshaping entry-level work. In some cases, automation has eliminated repetitive, lower-skilled positions, forcing workers to upskill or pivot to different careers.
Industries that have traditionally relied on entry-level talent are seeing some of the biggest shifts:
While AI is eliminating some roles, it’s also creating opportunities. The challenge is ensuring that the workforce can keep up with these rapid changes.
Conclusion: Are Entry-Level Positions Going Away?
Entry-level jobs aren’t disappearing entirely, but they are evolving in ways that make them harder to access. The demand for skills—particularly those related to AI and automation—means that what used to be a training-ground job now often comes with experience requirements that didn’t exist before.
This shift is creating a workforce gap where companies struggle to fill roles because they overlook candidates who could develop into strong employees if given the chance. Employers that truly want to build a sustainable talent pipeline will need to:
The job market is changing, and businesses that fail to adapt may find themselves struggling to attract the next generation of talent.
Jobs are opening up in the sports industry as teams expand and money flows into the industry.Excel Search &
Fired federal workers are looking at what their futures hold. One question that's come up: Can they find similar salaries and benefits in the private sector?
After two days of increases, mortgage rates are back down again today. According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed rate has decreased by four basis points t
Julia Coronado: I think it's too early to say that the U.S. is heading to a recession. Certainly, we have seen the U.S. just continue t