Students are applying for hundreds of jobs. Tulane’s career experts share what really works. • The Tulane Hullabaloo

Among employers using artificial intelligence that screen applicant resumes and companies automating thousands of entry-level positions, it’s no secret that AI is changing the way people find and do their jobs.

For some Tulane University students preparing to enter the workforce, the big changes are leading to a lot of anxiety.

AB Freeman School of Business senior Ethan Kraus applied to 130 different positions for his summer internship last year. This year, he knows many juniors and sophomores are struggling to find a summer job financially.

“It’s hard right now. I think it’s probably AI,” Kraus said. “I know software engineering, it’s hit hard. There are people who apply for hundreds and hundreds of internships, and they hear nothing.”

Sarah Covertdirector of operations and career development at the business school, said that although stress is a natural part of the transition from college to work, he is seeing students worry more about how the industry is changing, and how that affects their job prospects. He knows a few students who have already made it part way through the hiring process before the position they were applying for was canceled.

But maybe over 2,000 graduates ready to finish their time at college this spring, career experts at Tulane had a clear message: It’s not as bad as it seems.

Edward Cruzvice dean and director of NTC career services, said that in Tulane’s class of 2025, 91% of graduates were successful in finding a job, continuing their education, volunteering or joining the military.

In times of economic uncertainty, generally speaking, many students tend to pursue graduate degrees to be long their time before they go into labor. But this year, the number of new graduates going directly to work has increased from last year, a sign that graduates are finding success in the job market, according to Cruz.

Beyond AI, economic uncertainty also means that companies are add back for payments across the board. Covert said recent prices, for example, have had a major disruption on the business side.

On the other hand, Covert said Tulane students have made gains in the energy sector, mostly because of the freshmen data center development. Government jobs are more volatile, though by Kathryn Santanidirector of career education and professional development at NTC, said students may be surprised to see that there are still many jobs available.

“I highly recommend it [students] not just to completely close some industries thinking that there is nothing,” said Santanilla.” “Although the government is still hiring, and it doesn’t look like it used to, and the recruiters are not as often as they used to be, but we are still successful in those areas.”

Cruz said computer science and technology analytics was the third-highest industry that recruited Tulane graduates, although recent reports have been more nuanced. a bad picture for computer science graduates.

“Corporate moves faster than higher education usually does, and so we’re making sure we’re talking to our partners more about what’s happening today or tomorrow,” Covert said.

The rise of AI may not be disruptive to the job search in every way. When she was applying for internships, Kraus said AI was helpful.

“I was copying and pasting the job description [and] start my resume at ChatGPT, and then I would add in two or three cover letters that I had already written,” said Kraus. Then he would make the AI ​​”do research about the company, so it can add anything that might be important there, and then, based on that, it can make a good cover letter.”

Tulane has no shortage of tools, including some AI programs, to help students compete for applicants. VMock is an AI platform that can provide students with feedback on their resumes and interview skills. Labor Market Insights Tool allows students to research the growth of different industries. Tulane has it too vault guides available to students – great reviews of over 1,000 professionals and companies.

Tulane also has 16 career counselors across campus to support 8,000 students, and more than 30 career development support staff, according to Santanilla.

“At Tulane, we don’t stand still [AI],” Cruz said.” “There are supplies for students. There are classrooms. There are teachers who specialize in this that are displayed throughout the campus.”

Tulane also offers classes and certificates on AI skills, which are in practice still needed qualification to be a competitive candidate. There are important programs it is only available to business students, but any Tulane student can complete it Applied AI Literacy module through Canvas to brush up on their AI skills.

“I think you will see more employers asking for those [AI] art emerges [Tulane]Cruz said. “That’s why the university is responding the way it is, to make sure our students have those opportunities…[to be] they become more competitive as they come out.”

Kraus also suggested that students take other courses outside of Tulane to make their applications stand out. Google, for example, offers flexible online lessons in data analytics, marketing management and digital marketing.

“Try to be as different as possible,” Kraus said. “You’re not going to be able to compete if you’re trying to do what everyone else is doing.”