Graduating into the tech industry used to mean stepping into a field of near-limitless opportunity. For years, Silicon Valley operated in a state of rapid expansion, scooping up talent fresh out of college at a breakneck pace. But recent trends suggest that chapter may be over, at least for now.
A recent TechCrunch analysis revealed that the 15 largest technology companies have reduced their hiring of new graduates by more than 50% since 2019. The pullback, driven by post-pandemic corrections, economic uncertainty, and a renewed focus on efficiency, has created a very different job market for the class of 2025 and beyond.
The Shifting Job Market for Tech Grads
Between 2015 and 2019, tech companies fought over top university talent with lavish internship programs, signing bonuses, and promises of remote flexibility. Now, with hiring freezes, layoffs, and AI-led automation strategies becoming more common, companies are rethinking how they scale.
This doesn’t mean the tech sector is shrinking, it’s evolving. Companies are still hiring, but they’re prioritizing experienced workers, leaner teams, and evidence of hands-on impact over academic pedigree alone. As a result, recent graduates are entering a more competitive and less forgiving job market than many expected when they began their college careers.
What Today’s Grads Need to Hear
For young adults about to walk across the graduation stage with dreams of joining a leading tech firm, the message is clear: traditional pathways may no longer apply.
Brian Sathianathan, Co-Founder and CTO of Iterate.ai, has watched these shifts unfold in real time.
"Tech isn’t in hypergrowth mode anymore, and that means the rules have changed for breaking in," Sathianathan says. "It’s not just about flashy resumes or knowing the right framework, it's about persistence, adaptability, and showing real value."
That “real value” often means demonstrating tangible contributions outside of a traditional job setting. Whether it’s a passion project, a GitHub portfolio, or freelancing experience, employers are increasingly looking for proof of initiative and problem-solving.
"My advice to young professionals is to stop waiting for the perfect job posting and start building,” Sathianathan adds. “Contribute to open-source, launch a small project, freelance if you have to. Demonstrate that you can create and solve problems in the real world. That’s what gets noticed now."
Rethinking the First Step
For many young people, this recalibration is frustrating. They’ve grown up hearing that a degree in computer science or engineering from a top university would guarantee stability and opportunity. But as the industry matures, the reality is that hiring pipelines are shifting—and the most successful early-career professionals are those willing to adapt.
Recruiters in the current market say they’re now seeing higher competition for entry-level roles, with candidates from non-traditional paths (like coding bootcamps and self-taught developers) holding their own alongside those with formal degrees. The rise of remote work has also expanded the talent pool, giving companies access to a broader and often more cost-effective workforce.
This doesn’t mean a college education no longer matters, but it does mean that skills and outcomes are carrying more weight than ever before.
Advice for the Class of 2025
For those set on a career in tech, the path forward requires a mix of creativity, resilience, and long-term thinking. Here are a few strategies new grads should consider:
Build publicly: Share your work online, whether it's code, design, or data analysis. Recruiters often find candidates through GitHub, personal websites, or community forums.
Network intentionally: Focus on relationships, not just job leads. Attend virtual events, contribute to niche Slack groups, and connect with peers and mentors in your area of interest.
Start small: Freelance projects, contract work, and internships—even unpaid ones—can turn into full-time offers or valuable references.
Stay current: Learn and adapt to industry trends. Whether it’s AI, edge computing, or data privacy, demonstrating awareness of where tech is headed shows initiative.
While the tech job market may no longer promise a golden ticket, it still offers enormous opportunity, just with a new set of rules. For graduates willing to play a longer game, to build rather than wait, and to invest in their own portfolio of experience, a rewarding career is still very much within reach.