Entry-level software engineering postings dropped 67% between 2023 and 2024. The pipeline that turns students into engineers is collapsing.

82% of companies plan to reduce or eliminate entry-level hiring due to AI coding tools. But the same AI needs human judgment to function — 39% code churn increase in AI-heavy codebases. The pipeline is dying.

  • TehPers@beehaw.orgEnglish
    1·
    7 hours ago

    This has always been an issue. From my experience, the best way to get in was through internships, co-ops, and other kinds of programs. Those tend to have lower requirements and count as experience.

    Of course, today, things are a lot different. It’s a lot more competitive, and people don’t care anymore about actual software dev skills, just who can churn out SLOC the fastest.

    • missingno@fedia.io
      2·
      7 hours ago

      I’ve tried applying to internships too, but nearly every internship position I see says they are explicitly looking for current students or graduates within the past year. I think my degree is too old to get in now.

      • TehPers@beehaw.orgEnglish
        3·
        5 hours ago

        For what it’s worth, open source dev can also work. If you can commit some time to a project you care deeply about and make regular contributions, that’s another form of experience, and I see no reason you couldn’t add that as a line to your resume alongside any other work experience.