Many recent grads say AI is making it harder to get a job. Economists aren't so sure

The New York Fed reports that unemployment for new college grads outpaces the rate for all workers. That trend feels very real here in Lubbock. This marks a noticeable shift from just a few years ago. Many Red Raiders who just earned degrees from Rawls College of Business or Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering apply for hundreds of positions without a single offer. They describe sending applications to companies that used to hire a steady stream of local talent. These range from startups in the Depot District to larger firms near the airport industrial park.

Every entry-level role across the Hub City now faces more intense competition. Think local marketing agencies downtown or data analyst spots with health providers on the Loop. Families across Tech Terrace and Raintree increasingly see their college-educated kids struggle to start careers. Some move back home. Others consider leaving Lubbock altogether. This adds pressure on our local job market, which traditionally relies heavily on a steady flow of new, skilled graduates to fill key positions.

While graduates blame artificial intelligence for this hiring slowdown, economic experts question if the issue is about skill mismatch or simply too many applicants for too few opportunities.