How to compete with AI in a bleak job market, according to this software giant's CEO

By Emily BaryAditi Shrikant

Simply having a computer-science degree isn't enough as AI replaces low-level coders

"The computer science graduates that are going to be successful now are going to be people that understand how software comes together holistically" - Andrew Anagnost, CEO of Autodesk

A degree in computer science once carried the promise of stable work, high pay, and a certain level of social status. Now, many entry-level workers are struggling to find jobs.

One problem is that the allure of well-paying programming jobs at flashy technology companies made computer science such a popular field that the hiring market is now oversaturated. Another issue is that artificial-intelligence tools have proven capable of handling the grunt work of coding, thereby minimizing the need for low-level workers.

But that doesn't mean students should give up on their programming dreams altogether. So says Andrew Anagnost, the CEO of Autodesk (ADSK), a $62 billion software company focused on the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Rather, it's about getting the kind of diverse education that will be relevant for the jobs that do exist in the technology industry.

"The computer-science graduates who are going to be successful now are going to be people who understand how software comes together holistically," Anagnost told MarketWatch.

What that means is that programmers need to have "as much savvy about how human-computer interaction works" as they have raw coding skills, because entry-level coding is no longer in high demand, he added. Workers need to have empathy and design know-how.

"The roles of a product designer and a lead engineer are going to merge in many software companies," Anagnost said. "You're going to have people building user interfaces and code at the same time, so that's going to be a new future job for CS majors."

So how do you get there? Anagnost recommends that students consider double majors or other fields of study that allow them to merge computer science with more human-centered skills. He gave the example of Stanford's d.school, an interdisciplinary program focused on the intersection of design and engineering.

Use AI to your advantage

Others can learn from this advice, too. Being a well-rounded candidate has always been beneficial, says Chris Martin, lead researcher at Glassdoor.

"It's not enough to just be technically proficient," he said. "You should be showing your capacity to learn and take feedback."

While you don't need to "fundamentally rethink the job search," he added, you can stand out by showing employers that you know when and when not to use AI.

For example, most software engineers come to interviews with a project that demonstrates their skillset.

"AI has complicated the projects because people without good chops can 'vibe code' their way to a good product," Martin said, meaning they can use AI-powered tools to create something that looks impressive without having advanced skills.

Focus on "where AI doesn't work," he added. Showcase your critical-thinking skills and creativity. Make it clear that some technologies might help you be more efficient, but can't replace you entirely.

It's also smart to ask senior developers in your field how exactly artificial intelligence is helping and hindering their daily tasks. Should a recruiter ask about how you would utilize AI, you will then have some insider information.

Because it's a softer labor market, expect to be searching for a bit longer than feel comfortable, Martin says: "Settle in for a marathon."

And remember, it's a numbers game. You only need one good offer.

That tallies with Anagnost's advice.

"You can create your own interdisciplinary major - you can study design and you can study computer science, and anybody can do that," he said. That way, "you understand how to capture customer requirements and have empathy for the customer."

-Emily Bary -Aditi Shrikant

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