By Gabriel Cassady · Originally published as a guest column in the Springfield Business Journal
Preparing for careers in the AI era starts with one uncomfortable truth: the “safe bet” careers aren’t looking so safe anymore — and the data proves it.
Growing up in the ’90s, career advice seemed straightforward. There were classics like doctor, lawyer, or teacher. The advice to “do something computer-related” was as good as gold. On the other hand, you would’ve been hard-pressed to find any parent excited to pay for an expensive philosophy degree. And the department I came from — communication — was stigmatized as a blow-off major.
But there’s a plot twist.
A picture of me growing up in the ’90s—long before anyone was worried about careers in the AI era.
The Data That’s Redefining Careers in the AI Era
According to recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, computer engineering graduates face an unemployment rate of 7.8%. That’s nearly double the rate of recent communication majors, who clock in at just 3.9%. Meanwhile, computer science graduates report a 7% unemployment rate — equal to that of performing arts graduates — while philosophy majors sit at 5.1%.
Read that again. Recent computer engineering majors are almost twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those hippies in the communication department. In other words, we seem to be living in a bizarre future where the old career playbook no longer applies.
As a result, anyone thinking seriously about careers in the AI era needs to look beyond conventional wisdom.
AI Is Already Reshaping the Entry-Level Job Market
As an AI consultant with expertise in artificial intelligence, I get asked about careers — a lot. That’s understandable. The last 20 years have borne witness to stunning advances in AI. Machines now wield powerful new capabilities, allowing them to output novel content that is increasingly indistinguishable from the stuff we humans create.
Furthermore, the evidence is mounting that this isn’t just theoretical disruption.
A landmark Stanford Digital Economy Lab study released in August 2025, analyzing ADP payroll data from millions of U.S. workers, found that employment for workers aged 22–25 in jobs most exposed to AI (like software development) dropped 6% between late 2022 and mid-2025. As the researchers noted, this paper provides “early, large-scale evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the AI revolution is beginning to have a significant and disproportionate impact on entry-level workers.”
The mega-corporations making these machines say: “AI is just a tool — we’ll adapt as we’ve always adapted to new tech” and “sure, we’ll lose some jobs, but AI will also create new ones.”
They’re comforting lines. However, they don’t answer the real questions parents are asking.
“Before, I would have told my kids to ‘just choose something to do with computers,’ and that was good-enough advice,” one client recently told me. “But now? I have no idea.”
Nobody Has a Crystal Ball — But We Have Evidence
Unfortunately, no one knows exactly what the future will look like. I certainly don’t have a crystal ball. But I do have half a lifetime of following my passion in search of my “dream job” — and being constantly surprised by reality. If you’d told 18-year-old me that I would someday be a successful entrepreneur, I would have laughed in your face.
Nevertheless, based on my expertise with AI, my experience in life and business, and a careful review of the relevant research, I do have some actionable advice for anyone trying to shepherd young people into adulthood.
The LEAP Framework: An Evidence-Based Guide for Careers in the AI Era
I’ve developed an evidence-based framework for helping anyone — especially young people — navigate the kind of accelerating change we’re all living through.
I call it LEAP: Love of learning, Emotional intelligence, Adaptability, and Problem-solving. Together, these four pillars form the foundation for resilient careers in the AI era and beyond.
Love of Learning
Real learning isn’t always comfortable. We need to help young people distinguish between harmful chronic stress and the productive, temporary frustrations that exist just outside their comfort zones — in what psychologists call “the learning zone.”
In a world where AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, the ability to continuously learn and integrate new knowledge isn’t just a nice quality. It’s a survival skill. The specific tools and platforms will keep changing; consequently, a genuine love of learning ensures you can change with them.
Emotional Intelligence
We used to call these “soft skills” because they seemed mushy and hard to define compared to subjects like math and science. Today, emotional intelligence may be the most sought-after quality on any résumé.
BlackRock’s head of talent acquisition, Nigel Williams, has emphasized that the strongest applicants at one of the world’s largest investment firms demonstrate both AI fluency and relationship-building skills. In his words, companies want people “that are curious, have a questioning mindset, and are willing to not just trust what the model puts out there.”
To put it another way, AI can process data. It cannot build trust, navigate office politics, or comfort a colleague going through a difficult time. These irreplaceable human abilities are more valuable than ever — especially when planning careers in the AI era.
Adaptability
My favorite read on this topic is Carol Dweck’s 2006 classic Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, in which she distinguishes the fixed mindset (believing abilities are static) from the more adaptable growth mindset — the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning.
In an era where entire job categories can shift within a few years, adaptability isn’t just useful. It’s essential. The students who thrive won’t necessarily be the ones who mastered one specific programming language. Instead, they’ll be the ones who learned how to learn new ones.
Problem-Solving
Encompassing creativity, perseverance, curiosity, and a desire to contribute, a passion for problem-solving will only become irrelevant when there are no longer any problems in the world. That’s still a stretch even for my imagination.
Problem-solving is what makes humans indispensable. AI can generate answers to known questions. But identifying the right questions, framing complex challenges, and navigating the messy, ambiguous, deeply human problems that define real business and real life? That’s where human ingenuity remains unmatched.
Why Purpose Matters More Than Job Titles
Should we be selling young folks on philosophy degrees? I wouldn’t go that far. Computer science and computer engineering graduates often still command higher pay and lower underemployment, despite their elevated unemployment rates.
But we should be encouraging the next generation to form their identities around purpose rather than specific job titles. Instead of “I want to be a programmer,” the better approach is to explore: “I want to use technology to solve problems that matter.”
This isn’t feel-good fluff. Research published in PLOS ONE, using data from the national MIDUS study, confirms that people with a strong sense of life purpose recover faster emotionally after setbacks. Someone whose dream is to use technology to lift their family from poverty walks a more resilient path than someone whose entire identity rests on becoming a world-class computer engineer.
Building Resilient Careers in the AI Era Starts Now
By fostering a love of learning and problem-solving, celebrating emotional intelligence, and developing a more adaptable mindset, young people can surf the crest of change rather than being swept under by it.
That’s advice worth following — no matter what the future looks like.
If you’re a parent, educator, or business leader thinking about how to prepare the next generation for careers in the AI era, the LEAP framework gives you an evidence-based starting point. And if you’d like help thinking through AI strategy for your business, feel free to reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Careers in the AI Era
What careers are safe from AI?
No career is completely “safe” from AI’s influence. However, roles requiring high emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving, physical dexterity, and deep human relationships tend to be more resilient. Healthcare, skilled trades, creative leadership, and counseling are all showing strong employment prospects. The key is building adaptable skills rather than betting on a single job title.
Is a computer science degree still worth it?
A computer science degree still commands some of the highest starting salaries (around $80,000 median). But recent graduates face significantly higher unemployment rates than many other fields. The degree itself isn’t the problem — it’s the assumption that technical skills alone guarantee employment. Pairing technical knowledge with emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving creates a much stronger foundation for careers in the AI era.
What is the LEAP framework?
LEAP is an evidence-based career readiness framework developed by AI consultant Gabriel Cassady. It stands for Love of learning, Emotional intelligence, Adaptability, and Problem-solving. The framework helps young people build resilient career foundations that remain valuable regardless of how AI reshapes specific industries.
How is AI affecting entry-level jobs?
A 2025 Stanford study analyzing millions of ADP payroll records found a 6% decline in employment for workers aged 22–25 in the most AI-exposed occupations between late 2022 and mid-2025. Employment for older, experienced workers in the same roles remained stable or grew. Software development and customer service entry-level positions were hit hardest.
What skills should young people develop for an AI-driven economy?
The most future-resilient skills include continuous learning ability, emotional intelligence, adaptability, creative problem-solving, AI fluency, and a clear sense of purpose. These skills are the foundation of the LEAP framework and remain valuable regardless of which specific technologies dominate in the future.
Gabriel Cassady (hey, that’s me!) is an AI consultant and co-owner of 2oddballs Creative, a full-service marketing and communication agency in Springfield, Missouri. He writes regular columns on tech and business for the Springfield Business Journal and provides AI consulting services to businesses navigating the age of artificial intelligence.