A massive global workforce survey released by ADP Research found widespread job insecurity and anxiety, despite record-low unemployment. In the ADP “Today at Work 2026” report, only 22% of workers worldwide strongly agreed their job was safe from elimination, with anxiety hitting hardest among frontline roles. The survey—based on responses from more than 39,000 workers across 36 countries—attributes heightened fear in part to generative AI’s impact at the task level. The report also shows that confidence rises with seniority, with only about a third of executives reporting job security. For higher education leaders, the relevance is direct: students and recent graduates are entering a labor market where hiring caution and perceived risk can influence internship availability, entry-level recruiting, and retention. University career services and employer engagement strategies may need to adjust for a more risk-averse hiring posture. The signal also supports continued focus on career-ready skill development and transparent pathways to employment, particularly for graduates entering white-collar roles most exposed to AI-driven task automation.