Millions of Gen Z workers are grappling with unemployment as AI rapidly displaces entry-level office roles—positions once seen as the natural next step after college. At the same time, many millennials are reckoning with the burden of student debt for degrees that no longer guarantee stable careers. Now, Sander van ’t Noordende, global CEO of Randstad—the world’s largest staffing firm—has confirmed a growing fear: the traditional path from college to a white-collar office job is effectively obsolete.
“People need to reflect on whether taking out student loans to pursue a college education for a profession that’s rapidly being transformed—even eliminated—by AI is still a wise investment,” van ’t Noordende told *Fortune*.
“For decades,” he added, “the script was simple: go to college, get a degree, land an office job. That formula, which worked for generations, is breaking down.”
The evidence is already visible. Recent graduates are struggling to find work, especially in fields like marketing, communications, and design—areas where AI tools now perform tasks once reserved for junior employees with surprising competence.
Randstad places roughly half a million workers weekly, and van ’t Noordende’s blunt assessment is this: if you’ve invested in a degree hoping for a comfortable desk job, you may now have better odds landing work as a bartender, barista, or construction worker.
The white-collar job market has effectively frozen. Meanwhile, frontline and trade roles are booming—so much so that service-sector workers are seeing larger wage increases than their office-bound peers. Tech leaders and economists alike warn that AI is now on par with entry-level human employees and could eliminate up to half of white-collar positions by 2030. A groundbreaking Stanford University study underscores this shift, noting that Gen Z is bearing the brunt of AI’s disruptive impact.
“The nature of work is changing,” van ’t Noordende acknowledged, “but so are the opportunities. There’s enormous demand right now for skilled trades—mechanical engineers, machine operators, maintenance technicians, forklift drivers, truck drivers. These aren’t fallback options; they’re pathways to stable, well-paying careers.”
In light of this reality, he argues that the old mantra of “follow your passion” is dangerously outdated advice for young people. “Instead,” he said, “learn a craft, a trade, or a technical skill that allows you to support yourself and your family. That’s far more practical—and sustainable.”
Governments are taking notice. The U.K., for instance, just committed $965 million to expand apprenticeships, aiming to place tens of thousands of unemployed youth into growing sectors: hospitality, retail, and yes—even AI-related technical roles.
For those already holding degrees in fields now being hollowed out by automation, van ’t Noordende offers one clear directive: retrain. “Upskilling is always worthwhile,” he said. “Look around—where are the real opportunities? Match them to your background and interests, and pivot.”
He admits it may require swallowing pride: “At some point, you might have to accept that your original plan isn’t working.” But he emphasizes that this isn’t failure—it’s adaptation. “People all over are doing it,” he noted. “Switching from an office role to becoming a plumber, a nurse, or a teacher isn’t a step down. It’s a strategic realignment.”
The bottom line? “You have to get off your chair—and build real, in-demand skills.” In today’s economy, resilience means flexibility, not prestige.