Thousands of entry-level PMET jobs are available, but the job hunt remains challenging for some fresh grads

Rather, the graduates pointed to the uncertainty over how AI can create job opportunities and their worries about how the technology can quickly alter the demands of entry-level work.

NUS sociology and political science student Chloe Chan, 23, is set to graduate later this year.

Keen on a career in research and academia, she said that her worries about AI actually bothered her less as she read up on and applied for more jobs in her field.

Earlier this year, she completed an internship as an AI safety analyst at a tech giant. She acknowledged that the role was one that would not exist without AI adoption.

“Maybe for me it’s opening more doors, because I did get (an internship) thanks to AI. But I’m not sure how many doors it will close in the future. AI is moving so fast and we don’t know what it’s capable of,” she said.

No one can rule out the possibility that in five years’ time, AI could conduct interviews and people would not be needed to do qualitative analysis for research projects, she said.

NTU communications graduate Abdillah Akmal, 26, echoed the trepidation about AI even after accepting a role in a statutory board.

“I’m excited to start work, because in a sense it almost feels like having a job is a privilege,” he said.

But pointing to his friends who started work in the past few years, Mr Akmal said many of their job descriptions and responsibilities have already changed because of AI.

“There is that uncertainty that I come in with certain expectations, but then within maybe a few months something might change, and then I will need to readjust as well.”

SMU’s Ms Guda said the job search itself is a learning journey where graduates develop the judgment to evaluate offers thoughtfully and adjust their expectations along the way.

For fresh graduates making their way in the job market, a learning attitude may be the best way to ride out the sting of rejection and fears about the future.