AI is rapidly eliminating the entry-level jobs that traditionally served as career training grounds. Tasks once assigned to new graduates are being automated, leaving recent graduates without the hands-on experience needed to develop judgment and practical skills. The traditional bridge between education and employment is beginning to erode.

The problem is compounded by a shrinking internship market. In 2023, nearly 4.6 million students who wanted internships couldn't secure one. Meanwhile, 66% of hiring managers say most recent hires aren't fully prepared for their roles. For students entering AI-disrupted industries, the experience gap is widening.

Colleges must redesign how they deliver practical experience. Institutions should embed experiential learning directly into curricula through simulations and project-based learning, build deeper employer partnerships, and track employment outcomes more carefully. Northeastern's co-op program demonstrates the model works — 97% of graduates are employed or in grad school within nine months.

Preparing the next generation requires a coordinated effort across educators, employers, and policymakers. Institutions can't solve this challenge alone. The question is no longer whether AI will reshape entry-level work — it already has. The real challenge is ensuring new workers still have a way to gain practical experience.