The article highlights a troubling trend in junior hiring due to the rise of AI in the workplace. Research from Stanford shows that companies using AI are hiring 13% fewer junior employees. A Harvard study corroborates this, revealing that young professionals aged 22-25 are facing increased unemployment rates while senior positions remain stable. Many young people lack financial support from family during these tough times, which could derail their career paths. The author, involved with People Work, conducted interviews with university staff and students to assess the impact of these trends. While formal job placement statistics haven't fully reflected the situation, both students and faculty report a sense of hopelessness regarding job prospects. Networking has emerged as a critical factor for job placement success, but students struggle with how to build meaningful connections. Career services professionals often cite a need for more staff, while students express a desire for relatable mentors. The article also discusses the breakdown of traditional apprenticeship models in the tech industry. A shift towards individual contributions over mentorship has led to a lack of guidance for new engineers. As AI automates more junior roles, the necessary hands-on experience for developing expertise is disappearing. The author warns of a future skills gap, where retiring senior engineers leave behind a shortage of qualified successors. Economic incentives further complicate this issue, as companies prioritize short-term profits over long-term employee development. The author urges individuals to take charge of their career growth by focusing on skills that AI cannot replicate, such as collaboration and influence.