How to Stay Ahead of AI as an Early-Career Engineer
This story was originally published on December 25, 2025 in IEEE Spectrum.
Writer: Gwendolyn Rak
“AI is not going to take your job. The person who uses AI is going to take your job.”
This is an idea that has become a refrain for, among others, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has publicly made the prediction several times since October 2023. Meanwhile, other AI developers and stalwarts say the technology will eliminate countless entry-level jobs. These predictions have come at the same time as reports of layoffs at companies including IBM and Amazon, causing anxiety for tech workers—especially those starting their careers, whose responsibilities are often more easily automated.
Early reports have borne out some of these anxieties in employment data. For example, entry-level hiring at the 15 biggest tech firms fell 25 percent from 2023 to 2024, according to a report from SignalFire last May. Still, it’s unclear what the long-term effects will be, or whether hiring cuts are actually a result of AI. For instance, while Meta laid off 600 employees from its AI division in October (and continued hiring other AI researchers), OpenAI began hiring junior software engineers.
In 2026, all new graduates may face a tougher job market in the United States. Employers’ rating of the job market for college graduates is now at its most pessimistic since 2020, according to data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2026 survey. However, 49 percent of respondents still consider the job market “good” or “very good.”
So, what does the rise of generative AI mean for early-career engineers?
“This is a tectonic shift,” says Hugo Malan, president of the science, engineering, technology and telecom reporting unit within the staffing agency Kelly Services. AI agents aren’t poised to replace workers one-to-one, though. Instead, there will be a realignment of which jobs are needed, and what those roles look like.
The Quiet Period: What Is it? What Can I Do?
The “Quiet Period” will last from January move-in until February 1, 2021. This is a time for students to focus on COVID-19 testing and keeping the community safe and healthy. Students may engage in only limited, essential movement. After the Quiet Period, if the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Penn Community positivity rates allow, campus facilities will begin to reopen for student access.
College Houses: During the Quiet Period, essential spaces such as bathrooms and laundry rooms will remain open. Large, open spaces – such as rooftop lounges, living rooms, courtyards, mezzanines, and some large study spaces will remain open for individual studying during the Quiet Period. Computer labs, lockable lounges, and tech spaces will be closed during the Quiet Period.
Allowable Quiet Period activities for undergraduate students living on campus, in College Houses, includes:
- Continuing research, lab, or clinical activities as approved by schools.
- Engaging in outdoor exercise or recreation – wearing masks, the physical distance of at least 6 feet.
- Spending time outdoors on campus – wearing masks, keeping a physical distance of at least 6 feet – with no more than 10 students who live in College Houses.
- Accessing grab-and-go dining from designated Penn Dining facilities while wearing masks and keeping a physical distance of at least 6 feet.
- Ordering contactless food delivery directly to residential buildings while wearing masks and keeping a physical distance of at least 6 feet.
- Going to University COVID-19 testing sites.
- Receiving care and support from Wellness Services.
- Working on roommate/suitemate agreement, pod agreements, and quarantine plans in case of exposure.
Undergraduate students living off-campus, in private residences, may participate in the same above allowable activities – as long as off-campus students restrict activities to those they live with off-campus.
Regardless of whether students live on campus in College Houses or off-campus in a private residence, gathering indoors with people outside of those you live with is strictly prohibited by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. This includes seeing intimate partners if they do not live together. Check here for updates.
DACA & Undocumented Student Resources
The University of Pennsylvania benefits greatly from the rich diversity of all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. As part of that commitment to inclusion, Penn provides access and support to undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status.
We have established a phone number and email address for questions and referrals to DACA resources and support: 215-573-3222 (3-DACA) and DACAinfo@upenn.edu. If you require immediate assistance – e.g., if you or someone you know has been taken into custody by immigration or law enforcement – contact 215-898-4357 (215-898-HELP) for 24-hour assistance to be connected to necessary services.
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