Stripe exec says she’s hiring new grads more than ever but she’s ‘sweating’ about the Gen Z talent pipeline—and warns the era of skills is at risk

Core Insights - Recent graduates face limited job prospects as AI increasingly takes over entry-level roles, raising concerns about Gen Z's competency in the workforce [1][2] - Stripe's head of data and AI emphasizes the importance of hiring recent graduates, particularly PhDs, for their cutting-edge skills and fresh ideas [2] - The shift towards automation in companies like Goldman Sachs and Salesforce poses risks to entry-level positions, with leaders warning of potential job losses in white-collar sectors [2][3] Company Perspectives - Stripe is actively hiring more new graduates, focusing on those with advanced degrees, to leverage their innovative thinking and proficiency with modern tools [2] - The company expresses concern over the talent pipeline in traditional software engineering, questioning how undergraduates will secure necessary opportunities for career advancement [2][3] - Stripe's AI executive highlights the importance of mentorship development, fearing a future without a robust pipeline of skilled workers [3] Industry Trends - Billion-dollar companies, including Workday and JPMorgan, are shifting to skills-based hiring to attract top talent, regardless of formal education [3] - The rise of AI is threatening the era of skills, as many specialized functions may become augmentable or replaceable by AI technologies [4] - There is a growing concern that the automation of human skills could drastically affect the career trajectories of recent graduates [2][3]