Degree Free

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set:
➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old?
Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program:
➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Recent college grad underemployment is at 42.5 percent, but that problem did not begin with AI. Many grads leave school without work experience, expect pay their skills do not support, and struggle to get the first job that can shape the rest of their career. Colleges would rather blame AI than admit their product is not preparing many young adults for work.

The fear also looks bigger because the loudest layoffs get the most attention. University staff and other online professional groups receive long news stories when their jobs disappear. Other workers often lose jobs with far less coverage. AI companies added to the fear by promising that their tools would replace whole groups of workers.

Those same companies still hire highly paid engineers. What we see instead is a low-hire, low-fire market. Companies know AI will change jobs, but many still do not know which tasks it should handle, what it will cost, or which people they need around it. The tools can produce more work without producing better business results.

We expect work to change and grow, not vanish. That makes direction more urgent for your child. One family waited more than a year for clarity to appear on its own. Their hardworking young adult stayed employed but had no career target. Parents do not become job market analysts overnight.

Once you know direction is the problem, shorten that lost window. Turn goals into a clear plan with real next steps.