Entry-level software engineering postings dropped 67% between 2023 and 2024. The pipeline that turns students into engineers is collapsing.

AI coding tools are replacing entry-level programming jobs faster than anyone predicted. The traditional path from junior to senior developer is collapsing, and the consequences for the entire industry could be devastating. If you mentor juniors or hire them, this one hits different.

  • Bob Robertson IX @discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    7·
    3 hours ago

    What I’ve been seeing is the opposite: companies are replacing most senior devs with junior prompters. At least 3 places where I have friends working have let go several of their more expensive senior developers and replaced them with cheaper junior developers who can use AI.

    • VitoRobles@lemmy.todayEnglish
      6·
      2 hours ago

      One department did that. The pro-Ai manager hired a bunch of juniors in 2024. I’m all about giving people opportunities. But what I didn’t know was they were all juniors who were vibe coders.

      The whole team of like 30+ got fired during our summer 2025 layoffs.

      Rumor has it none of the code was reusable and a new department inherited all of their responsibilities.