The Associated Press reports that today’s college students say picking a major that’s “AI-proof” feels like “shooting at a moving target.”
Students worry about how quickly artificial intelligence is changing careers and the job market. Many are switching majors or even reconsidering their career paths.
“We see students all the time change majors. The fact that so many students say it’s because of AI — that is startling,” said Courtney Brown, vice president of an education nonprofit, in an interview with AP.
About 70% of college students see AI as a threat to their job prospects, according to a 2025 Harvard poll.
It is uncharted territory for students, and also for the trusted sources they typically turn to, such as advisers or counselors.
A recent panel discussion at Stanford University on the future of higher education illustrated the point perfectly when Brown University President Christina Paxson said no one knows what the job market will look like in 10, 20 or 30 years, per The Associated Press.
“None of us know. We don’t know the answer to that,” Paxson said.
What can students do?
A recent article from Fortune outlines the most susceptible jobs to the AI revolution. The article also mentions that due to advancements in AI, having a college degree doesn’t hold as much weight as it used to.
Students who do choose to pursue a degree have a couple of options.
First, they can lean into AI.
“People who know to use AI will be very valuable,” said Ben Aybar, a recent computer science graduate from the University of Chicago.
He’s not wrong. As AI continues to integrate into society, its influence is only expected to grow, which means that knowing how to use it is increasingly valuable in today’s job market.
Fortune lists sales and customer service representatives, computer programmers, data scientists and web developers as some of the most AI-heavy occupations.
AI-proof jobs
The other option is to seek out less AI-driven fields, such as manual labor or the arts.
The occupations Fortune identified as least affected by AI nearly all center around physical labor and human-led machinery operation.
Generally speaking, AI has yet to disrupt most blue-collar roles.
It may feel like AI has infiltrated nearly every classroom, but students seeking an AI-proof career path should consider programs such as construction management, civil engineering or environmental science.
The reality is that, contrary to popular belief, there actually are AI-proof jobs out there. As mentioned, most of them are in the healthcare industry or blue collar work.
Some of these jobs, according to a recent Microsoft study, include:
- Tire repair
- Ship engineer
- Embalmers
- Hazardous material removal
- Nursing assistants
The study makes it clear that the jobs least threatened by AI involve one or more of the following: manual activity, use of machines and human interaction.
With this in mind, college students may be better off opting for trade schools; these institutions focus on essential industries that remain in high demand despite economic shifts or the rise of AI.
It’s hard to replicate human creativity
The Associated Press details the account of Ava Lawless, who is currently majoring in data science at the University of Virginia, but is considering switching to studio art, which is her minor.
She feels unsure about her chances of landing a job postgraduation due to the evolving AI landscape.
“If I’m going to be unemployed, I might as well do something I love,” she said.
Making the transition may not be a bad idea, because while AI does possess impressive creative capabilities, it can’t quite mirror human talent and skill.
There’s a market for it as well. Liberal arts have long been and will be appreciated in today’s society, particularly in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence.