A Stanford study showing a 13% decline in employment for 22‑ to 25‑year‑olds in AI‑exposed fields over three years has pushed career‑services leaders to rethink how students acquire workplace skills. Many traditional on‑ and off‑campus jobs that once provided career ladders are shrinking or being automated, leaving students—especially first‑generation and low‑income learners—without the experiences that drive internships and job offers. Experts urge institutions to redesign campus employment, Federal Work‑Study assignments and curricular co‑ops to prioritize career relevance, skills development and employer connections, while also addressing the equity gap that sees working students less likely to graduate.