Last week at ASU+GSV 2025 in San Diego, California USA, conversations swirled around generative AI, workforce readiness, and a lingering question that struck a chord with nearly every attendee:
If AI disrupts entry-level work, what happens to the entry-level job?
It’s a question that cuts to the core of how we prepare learners for the future—and it’s one we, at Virtual Internships, are actively working to answer.
While 2024's summit brought clarity around skills-based hiring, this year felt more exploratory. As our Chief Strategy Officer, Jillian Low, reflected:
“We all agreed AI is reshaping everything... but the actual definitions of how that looks felt elusive. We kept saying, 'We need to redefine the entry-level job,' but weren’t hearing what the new definition might be.”
This tension—between recognition and readiness—was everywhere, our team noted.
Multiple voices echoed the same theme: internships are declining, while expectations for “day-one ready” hires are rising.
Valerie Capers Workman explicitly pointed out that entry-level roles are increasing, but employers are no longer looking for trainable talent—they’re looking for prepared talent.
That’s a paradox: how can we expect career readiness without experience?
There are two compelling models that education leaders should consider:
The Entry-Level Job as a Learning Scaffold: These roles are designed not for output but for growth. Through mentorship, coaching, and reflection, learners build the soft and strategic skills that AI cannot replicate.
The Entry-Level Job as Human–AI Collaborator: Here, the emphasis shifts from execution to judgment. Entry-level roles become interpretation zones—refining AI outputs, spotting bias, and applying human context.
Both models align with what Virtual Internships is building: structured, project-based internships with integrated coaching, upskilling, and feedback—designed to support learner development in tandem with AI fluency.
Virtual Internships' Co-Founder, Daniel Nivern, put it simply: “If learners can’t access internships, they should be supported in creating their own opportunities.”
That’s not just theory. We know from our work with thousands of learners worldwide that access to hands-on experience is the differentiator. In fact, it may be the only real hedge against automation-driven job displacement.
AI might be able to write code or draft memos—but it can’t coach a team, navigate ambiguity, or solve a client challenge with empathy. That comes from doing, not just learning.
There’s no doubt AI presents transformative potential. As discussed in the summit:
19 million jobs may become more accessible due to AI lowering technical barriers (LinkedIn, 2025).
Smarter career mapping and personalized learning are now possible at scale.
Creativity tools like Canva or ChatGPT have democratized access to formerly gatekept skills.
But, there’s also risk:
70% of skills will change by 2030; 39% may be obsolete altogether by then.
Loss of experiential learning could derail early-career development.
57% of hiring managers trust AI more than recent grads (SHRM, 2024)—a sobering stat that highlights a trust gap we urgently need to bridge.
One of the most memorable analogies came from Sal Khan, likening AI’s impact on education to tech’s role in the restaurant industry. Technology can make operations more efficient—but the best restaurants still succeed on experience, connection, and human service.
The same holds true in education and early careers.
Automation can scale content, streamline assessments, and assist with matching learners to jobs. But mentorship, coaching, and contextual learning remain irreplaceable.
The resounding takeaway from ASU+GSV 2025 is this: we cannot afford to wait for a consensus to act.
The entry-level job isn’t going extinct. It’s being redefined—and the institutions that move now to reimagine experiential learning will lead the charge.
At Virtual Internships, we’re doubling down on:
AI-proofing career readiness through real-world, remote internships.
Embedding coaching and mentorship into the learner journey.
Bridging access gaps so that every learner, regardless of background, can build experience and confidence.
So we’ll ask again: What could a redefined entry-level job look like for your learners?
And more importantly: Are we building the ecosystems to support it?
Are you an educator exploring the future of work? We’d love to hear your thoughts on redefining entry-level roles and preparing learners for AI-enabled careers on LinkedIn.
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