A panel on graduate employability emphasized that AI is reshaping what hiring managers consider “entry-level,” pushing responsibility for practical preparation back onto universities and workforce programs. Speakers described how many traditional entry roles have been elevated to mid-level tasks as automation trims certain onboarding pathways. The discussion tied anxiety among students to uncertainty about how AI will change work and hiring, while employers pointed to shifts in recruitment tactics. For example, one executive noted that students now need to apply online and present themselves differently for campus recruiting. Higher education providers were encouraged to treat skills-building as a direct pipeline to job performance rather than a credential-only outcome, and to strengthen internships and on-the-job learning experiences that translate classroom learning into workplace capability. The panel framing aligns with broader workforce planning: as AI removes some activities, institutions may need to redesign advising, career services, and curriculum to ensure graduates can perform the remaining human-driven work from day one.