NC Students Rethinking Majors as AI Reshapes Job Market
Forty-seven percent of college students have considered changing their major because of artificial intelligence, according to a Lumina Foundation-Gallup survey. Sixteen percent have already made the switch.
North Carolina State University students are making these decisions now, not in theory. They're adding AI minors, reconsidering technical careers, and adjusting their plans based on what they see happening in the job market.
Entry-Level Tech Jobs Are Disappearing
Federal data shows 45,000 tech industry layoffs occurred in 2026, with at least half directly tied to AI. At least 1,000 of those came from Epic Games' March 2026 restructuring, including over 200 positions in Cary.
The timing matters. Computer science enrollment at North Carolina's public universities grew 31% between 2018-19 and 2023-24, climbing from 9,300 to 12,200 students. More graduates are entering a smaller job market.
Recent college graduates face unemployment around 5% to 6%, compared with roughly 3% for all college-educated workers, according to Federal Reserve data from 2025.
Noah Watkins, a junior history major at NC State, said the shift is real: "I was always told growing up, learn to code. Then AI advanced and now it can code."
What This Means for Education Leaders
Schools face a dual challenge. Students are demanding preparation for an AI-driven workforce, while the traditional entry points into tech careers are contracting.
Nicole Sokeye, an engineering student at NC State, is adding a year to her degree to pursue a machine learning or AI minor. Other students are pursuing certifications to stand out. Some peers have abandoned technical tracks entirely.
Consider how your institution advises students about major selection and career readiness. Are your guidance conversations reflecting this reality? AI for Teachers resources can help educators understand these shifts firsthand.
For students interested in technical fields, AI Coding Courses represent one approach to differentiation in a crowded field.
State Government Moves Forward With AI Implementation
While private sector layoffs mount, North Carolina state government is expanding AI use. The Department of State Treasurer announced it's moving beyond its pilot program into broader implementation across divisions.
The 12-week OpenAI pilot showed up to 10% productivity increases in certain divisions. State Treasurer Brad Briner said the department expects to replicate those gains across the entire agency while maintaining security and privacy protections.
Most state agencies report large vacancies. AI tools could help manage workload pressure, though the technology won't solve underlying staffing shortages.
The North Carolina Chamber noted that even jobs not eliminated by AI are changing. The technology is affecting how work gets performed across many roles.
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