The Job Market Blues: Fresh Graduates Face Uncertain Futures
The once-predictable transition from university to career has become a treacherous journey for fresh graduates in Hong Kong. With the advent of AI, the job market has turned gloomy, and the competition for employment is fiercer than ever. The story of Ivan Cheung, a data science and analytics graduate, is a microcosm of this struggle. Cheung has filed over 200 job applications since March, hoping that one of the dozen or so companies that have asked him to interview or take a written test will eventually hire him.
What makes Cheung's situation unique is his part-time job, which provides a small financial cushion. However, even with this support, the job market remains unforgiving. Cheung's peers who have found employment consider themselves lucky, as the number of job vacancies has plummeted by 55% in the past year, according to the Joint Institution Job Information System. This system, run by the city's eight public universities, recorded a mere 30,798 job vacancies in 2025, the fewest in the past five years.
The decline in job opportunities is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by fresh graduates in Hong Kong. The once-predictable transition from university to career has been upended by the rapid advancement of AI. Artificial intelligence literacy has become a crucial skill, as companies seek individuals who can provide specific and directed prompts to AI, generating information that addresses business pain points.
Cheung's experience highlights the importance of adapting to the changing job market. As AI continues to transform industries, the demand for skilled professionals who can work alongside AI is increasing. However, the competition for these roles is intense, and many fresh graduates find themselves struggling to stand out.
The gloominess of the job market is a global phenomenon, not just confined to Hong Kong. The rise of AI has disrupted traditional industries, creating a demand for new skills and a need for workers to adapt quickly. As a result, fresh graduates worldwide are facing similar challenges, searching for employment in a rapidly evolving landscape.
In conclusion, the job market for fresh graduates is currently a challenging and uncertain one. The rapid advancement of AI has created a demand for new skills, but it has also increased competition and made the transition from university to career more difficult. As Ivan Cheung's story illustrates, the struggle to find employment is a complex and multifaceted issue, requiring fresh graduates to be resilient, adaptable, and innovative in their approach to the job market.
