PERSPECTIVE · CAREERS

What “entry-level” means now

I have friends who just graduated in computer engineering, and watching their job search has taught me more than any class did.

Almost every "entry-level" posting asks for 2-3 years of experience. I've watched smart, capable people get rejected over and over — not because they lack skill, but because the market has quietly redefined what "entry-level" means.

Here's what I'm taking away from watching them go through it:

• A degree gets you in the door less than it used to — real projects and hands-on work matter more now
• The people getting interviews are the ones who kept building even without a job title to show for it
• Waiting until graduation to "start" your experience is too late — the gap needs to be closed earlier

I still have time before I'm in their position. But seeing this up close is pushing me to start building now — projects, internships, anything — instead of waiting for the "right moment."