AI is changing the tech job market, and Gen Z is struggling to keep up
Sign up for the weekly BI Tech Memo newsletter here.
As my daughter can attest, it's a tough job market out there. She's a mechanical engineer, which seems steady demand-wise. But many of her college friends are struggling to find that crucial entry-level job or internship. Some are wondering if computer science and similar courses were the right decision, with AI automating software tasks at companies.
Just look at what's happening at Amazon. CEO Andy Jassy said this week that his corporate workforce will shrink over the next few years as the company uses more generative AI tools and agents.
Not so coincidentally, Business Insider just spent weeks interviewing Gen Z tech job seekers as AI transforms early-career experiences across the industry. Our findings are a must-read for anyone looking to break in here and find success.
Jonathan, a 26-year-old software engineer, is emblematic of what we discovered. (He's not authorized to speak to the media, so we removed his last name.) After earning his degree in 2022, he sent out nearly 300 applications and got 12 responses. It took three months to land a full-time tech role. Less than a year later, he lost that job due to his employer shutting an office. Then, he found himself repeating the process, this time applying to 600 jobs and hearing back from only five.
"Everyone tells you to get into computer science. That's where all the money is at, that's where the jobs are at," Jonathan told BI. "It's a lot harder than they make it out to be."
He's not alone. Recent computer science grads face a 6.1% unemployment rate in the US, higher than the national average. Wow. I never thought I'd see a stat like that.
Jonathan now works in defense tech, not the video game industry he originally aspired to join. Like many of his peers, he's focused on gaining experience — any experience.
It's looking like a tech career is evolving from a sure thing into something similar to every other type of job: You have to hustle and network to get your foot in the door, and then work like hell to stay employed and build steadily from there.
What else should you do as an aspiring tech worker? Our Gen Z survey story doesn't have all the answers, but there's great advice in here.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
8 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Epic Ninja sale live ahead of Prime Day — score 40% off air fryers, blenders and more
Prime Day is just a week away — and if you're looking to stock up on the best kitchen appliances around, we're already seeing huge discounts from Ninja. In fact, Amazon is currently knocking up to 40% off the brand's top-rated toaster ovens, air fryer, blenders, coffee makers and more. Need a new toaster oven? Look no further than the Ninja Prestige Smart XL Oven on sale for $229. It came out as the winner of our best toaster oven and is now $120 off on Amazon. If you're in the market for some pots and pans, I personally recommend the Ninja Foodi NeverStick Premium 12-Piece Cookware Set that's now $200 off. Keep scrolling to check out many more great Ninja kitchen deals from Amazon's early Prime Day sale. Plus, don't miss our Amazon promo codes page for more ways to save. Available in several different colors, this Ninja portable bender allows you to make perfectly smooth drinks anywhere you go. This is an especially great deal for athletes because you can make up to 18 ounces of shakes and smoothies on the go. It features an easy-open sip lid that lets you blend and drink in the same vessel. The Ninja Air Fryer comes with a 4 quart capacity which can fit up to 2 pounds of french fries. In addition, it can roast, reheat and dehydrate delicious meals in less time. With a handy digital display, it's easy to use at just a touch of a button. Designed to be lightweight and easy to clean, removable parts are dishwasher safe. Landing the number one spot on our list of best air fryers in 2024, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 will fit up to 5 pounds of French fries or 9 pounds of chicken wings. And despite its 6.5 quart capacity, it has a neat compact design that won't overwhelm your countertop. With air crisp technology reaching 400°F you can enjoy crispy food cooked with little or no oil. Aside from providing crisp food, it can reheat pastries, roast and dehydrate, perfect for when you want to dry fruits and other foods. Cleaning up is a cinch with a nonstick basket and crisper plate. Be it daily smoothies or making ice cream, this blender can tackle it all, at the touch of a button. Also featured on our best blenders guide, this comes with 3 preset Auto-iQ programs that creates smoothies, frozen drinks, and ice cream, and its powerful blades can crush ice in no time. What's more, it has an XL (72-oz.) capacity jug which is ideal for the entire household or making batches. This is a great deal if you want an easy-to-use blender, with professional results. Save $50 right now on the Ninja Thirsti, which makes it a breeze to make flavored still and sparkling drinks at home. You can personalize the fizz, flavor and drink size, and it comes with a CO2 cylinder and variety of flavored water drops. The Ninja Flip stainless steel model is also on sale. It has 8 functions in one convenient and versatile machine: air fry, roast, bake, toast, and more. When you're not using it, you can flip it up and away, which will give you 50% more counter space back. The Ninja Crispi is an air fryer like no other. With a removable air frying lid and a selection of glass containers that can be used to prep, store, cook and serve your food in one go, it's reinvented what you can do with the best air fryers. The Ninja Crispi Cooking System includes a cooking pod, two cooking and storage containers, complete with lids and crisper plates. A versatile option with specialty options as well as single-serve pods, the Ninja Dualbrew Pro is a good-looking device with a fold-out frother and a separate hot water system for instant hot water that's ideal for tea, instant snacks, and more. Leave all the multi-tasking in the kitchen to one appliance with this Ninja blender. With four functions for smoothies, processing, dough, drinks and more it will quickly become your go-to kitchen appliance. With this ultimate appliance, you'll be enjoying fresh, healthy drinks, homemade bread and sweet bakes. With 7 pre-set programs and customizable options, the Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker will help you whip up gelato, milkshakes, smoothies and more, all with your favorite nuts, candy and fruit to personalize your treat. It also comes with 2 pint pots with lids. When we got our hands on the Ninja Prestige Smart XL Oven, we were super impressed by its capacity, range of cooking functions and intuitive, easy-to-use controls. It's a great alternative for anyone not wanting a full-size oven or an XL air fryer in their kitchen. And right now the best toaster oven is an impressive $120 off. The Ninja FrostVault cooler is the most impressive cooler I have tried and has become my go-to for hot summer adventures. The 45QT cooler can hold up to 68 cans and keeps them cool for 8 days! The wheels also mean you don't have to carry it, making it easy to maneuver even when full. If you want a grill that can do it all, this all in one grill and smoker is a fantastic choice from Ninja. It features a built-in thermometer and is weather-resistant. It's the perfect option if you don't have the space for a standing grill. No one likes to be cutting, chopping or dicing in the kitchen with a dull blade — and thanks to this Ninja knife set, you won't ever have to. The 17-piece set comes with a variety of cooking knives, eight steak knives and a knife block that has a built-in sharpener. Plus, NeverDull Technology is conveniently built into the storage block to ensure your knives stay razor sharp for up to 10 years. This hard anodized set of cookware is non-stick, durable and oven safe to 500°F. The non-stick surface won't stick, chip or flake and is designed to withstand high-heat cooking and aggressive scrubbing. The cookware can go from stovetop to oven to finish off cooked meats, brown-off or bake. This premium cookware comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Entrepreneur
10 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
Amazon 'Employs' as Many Robots as People in Warehouses
Amazon is now using more than one million robots in its warehouses, the most it has ever deployed, and there are now nearly as many robots in Amazon facilities as there are people, according to The Wall Street Journal. Robots assist in a variety of functions, ranging from sorting items to packaging them for shipment. For example, a new robot named Vulcan can select products from different shelves to be packaged. Amazon told the WSJ that 75% of its global deliveries, or three in four packages, are facilitated in some way by robotics. Related: Amazon Tells Thousands of Employees to Relocate or Resign As Amazon relies more on robots for order fulfillment, it needs fewer human employees on staff. Amazon employs about 1.56 million people, with most working in warehouses. According to a WSJ analysis, the average number of employees per Amazon facility dropped to 670 people per warehouse last year, the lowest count in the past 16 years. It also found that Amazon employees are now more productive than they were a decade ago — the number of packages shipped per employee has skyrocketed from 175 in 2015 to about 3,870 last year. Amazon leadership confirmed that the company is using AI to improve operations in its warehouses and potentially cut down its number of employees. In a memo to employees sent last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that the company was "using AI to improve inventory placement, demand forecasting, and the efficiency of our robots." Related: Amazon Is Expanding Same-Day Delivery to Thousands of Small Towns and Rural Areas Jassy wrote that as Amazon rolls out more AI features to its robots, the company "will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today," which will "reduce" Amazon's workforce over the "next few years." Still, the company told the WSJ that it has trained more than 700,000 workers globally through apprenticeships for jobs that involve working with robots, such as robot technicians. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images Amazon began incorporating robotics into its operations over a decade ago, when it bought robotics company Kiva Systems for $775 million in 2012. Kiva made robots that moved bulky, unpackaged items around a facility. Since the acquisition, Amazon has introduced new robots, such as Proteus, its first fully autonomous mobile robot that can move freely throughout a warehouse. Proteus, which Amazon debuted in 2022, uses sensors to detect and navigate around objects in its path. It can lift as much as 880 pounds. Its task is to move heavy carts with packages to a loading dock, where packages can then be loaded onto trucks. Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the U.S., after Walmart. It is the fourth most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization of over $2.3 trillion.
New York Post
14 minutes ago
- New York Post
9 best Fourth of July mattress and bedding sales to shop ASAP
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. If you've been waking up hot, sore, or just plain fed up with your mattress, consider this your sign from the sleep gods: the 2025 Fourth of July mattress sales have landed, and they're stacked with deals so good you'll actually want to shop them between burgers and fireworks. Top-rated brands like Saatva, Leesa, Helix, and Nectar are all offering major discounts this year — we're talking up to $800 off, plus free bedding bundles, adjustable base upgrades, and sitewide deals you don't need a coupon to unlock. Even editor-tested picks (like the Helix Midnight Luxe or Leesa Sapira Hybrid) are hundreds of dollars off. Advertisement And for those who almost added a new mattress to your cart during Memorial Day, now's your second chance. To make your life easier, we rounded up the best Fourth of July mattress sales of 2025, including brand highlights and what makes each one worth your money. Best Fourth of July Mattress Sales of 2025 Saatva Saatva's dropping up to a cool $600 off any mattress $1,000+ — including their crown-jewel (and Post Wanted-loved) Saatva Classic. That means a queen-size Classic is just $1,699 (usually $2,099) — a luxury innerspring with three firmness options, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty, and free white-glove delivery with old-mattress removal. This mattress wins praise for its support on your back and in your wallet — ideal for combo sleepers and anyone recovering from a sore neck or shoulders. Amazon Amazon is quietly loaded with Fourth of July mattress deals, especially if you're hunting for budget buys, fast delivery, or highly rated brands under $500. Right now, you can grab the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress (a cult classic with over 140,000 reviews) for around $250 for a queen. Even name brands like Tuft & Needle, Ashley Furniture, and Casper are up to 40% off. It's not a white-glove showroom experience, but Amazon's sleep deals are unbeatable for quick refreshes, guest rooms, or first apartments. Just check the specs — and the delivery window — before you hit 'Buy Now.' Nectar During this sale, Nectar is offering a hefty up to 50% off mattresses, plus up to 66% off bundles (think mattress + base + bedding). That covers favorites like the Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid, which delivers cooling copper gel and firm, pressure-relief support. Bundle it with sheets and pillows and you could walk away with everything for less than the cost of some standalone mattresses. DreamCloud DreamCloud is going up to 60% off, with some deals including free pillows or blankets. The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid is a killer pick — thick comfort layers, foam + coils, plush yet supportive feel. A perfect setup for couples — think minimal motion transfer but lavish cushioning. Score it now before it's gone. Helix Helix, a Post Wanted-loved brand, is running 25% sitewide with promo code JULY25, and models like the Midnight Luxe queen drop to around $1,751 (down from $2,373). This 13.5″ pillow-top hybrid features copper-infused foam and 1,000 coils — ideal for side and back sleepers craving pressure relief and cooling. It even boasts lumbar support and a deluxe cover upgrade option. Leesa Leesa is slicing 30% off sitewide, including on standout models like the Leesa Sapira Hybrid Chill, a Post Wanted editor favorite — now around $2,059 for a queen (originally close to $2,949). Think cooling foam layers that feel refreshing in July, all while delivering bounce and support worthy of a luxury hotel. Bear Bear's offering 35% off sitewide with promo code JULY4, plus freebies like pillows or sheets. Their Bear Elite Hybrid, another Post Wanted editor-loved model, and Star Hybrid excel with copper-gel cooling, firmer support, and pressure relief — perfect for athletes or anyone who stretches daily. Brooklyn Bedding Get 30% off sitewide with promo code JULY30. Models like Signature Hybrid, Aurora Luxe (a Post Wanted cooling favorite), and Titan (for heavier bodies) are all fair game. The Signature offers a luxe yet affordable hybrid feel, Aurora Luxe is cooling, and Titan brings extra reinforcement. Plank Plank's offering 30% off sitewide with the promo code JULY30. This is for fans of rock-solid, firm support — think flippable firmness and minimal sink. The kind of bed stomach sleepers rave about. Avocado Green Avocado is offering 15% off sitewide, including green-certified latex models. The top-tier Avocado Green Mattress — now around $1,784 for a queen (down from $2,099) — is a bestselling pick. It's organic, eco-friendly, yet plush and supportive, without sacrificing bounce. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
