As artificial intelligence erodes traditional entry-level jobs, a growing number of Gen Z workers are bypassing the corporate ladder to become their own bosses, according to interviews with more than a dozen young professionals.
Ashley Terrell, who graduated from the University of Hawaii in 2024 with a business degree, struggled to find marketing work despite a strong résumé. After months of applying, her only offer was at Home Depot. 'It was quite a shock,' she said. 'I searched for jobs every single day in that Home Depot bathroom.'
Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows hiring has slumped to its lowest rate since 2020, with unemployment for 22- to 27-year-olds at its highest since the pandemic. 'Entry-level workers are finding it difficult right now to get their foot on the ladder at all,' said Daniel Zhao, chief economist at Glassdoor.
In response, some are creating their own opportunities. Terrell built a marketing portfolio by making videos for brands, eventually landing a part-time role at a distillery. Suhit Agarwal, a 2025 graduate from the University of Southern California, turned to founding startups after failing to secure interviews at Google. 'Charting my own course has been working so far,' he said.
The AI boom is a double-edged sword: while it threatens entry-level jobs, it also provides tools that allow young entrepreneurs to compensate for skills gaps and take on greater responsibilities. 'All of a sudden, you've got to have some way to get up to the fourth rung of the career ladder,' said Joseph Fuller of Harvard Business School. 'One way to ascend the rungs? Make your own ladder.'
