tech

April 29, 2026

Entry-level jobs calling for AI skills nearly doubled from a year ago, says report

As of March, 4.2% of full-time early-career jobs called for AI skills, nearly double the share from a year ago, according to Handshake's 2026 graduate report.

Entry-level jobs calling for AI skills nearly doubled from a year ago, says report

TL;DR

  • AI keywords appeared in 10.3% of internships and 4.2% of full-time early-career jobs in March 2026, nearly doubling from the previous year.
  • The demand for AI skills spans various fields, from engineering to creative roles, with significant growth in government, healthcare, and education sectors.
  • Most college seniors report using AI tools regularly, but only 28% feel their schools have meaningfully integrated AI into their programs.
  • The job market for young professionals is tighter than in previous years, with job postings down compared to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Despite job market challenges, 62% of college seniors are pessimistic about their immediate careers but 70% believe they can build their desired career long-term.
  • Educational institutions like Purdue University are implementing AI competency requirements for graduation, and government initiatives are being launched to support AI-related training.

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