A Graduate’s Dilemma in the AI Era

AI stole my dream job.

Four years ago, I started university and laid out the path I wanted for myself. Now, caps thrown and gowns worn, I sit face to face with my degree and wonder why some guy sitting in front of his computer decided to replace me with a machine.

Now don’t get me wrong, I believe there’s space for me. I know I’m great and capable of something beyond what I’m made for. However, my life calendar hangs above my bed every night and taunts me; “you’re never getting to this end goal” it says.

I’ve changed the end goal many times throughout my life but never have I strayed so far that it was completely shifted. Recently though, I feel I must switch my dream career to something a human can do. That angers me a little bit.  I don't say this to be dramatic. I'm not anti-technology. I believe in innovation. I believe AI can do incredible things. I even think there's still a place for me. But that place is shrinking. It's moving. It's becoming harder to reach.

I had visions of myself in the desk I wanted, 10 years from now speaking at a conference about my passion, now every firm gives me the same sad head tilt and a pessimistic reply “why would I spend money on you if I can do it online for free?”

And you know what...they’re right.

The worst part of all this is that if I had many expenses piling on my business the last thing I’d do is hire someone to do the same thing AI can do for much cheaper.

But knowing that doesn’t make it easier to swallow.

Because at the end of the day, I’m not just a line on a budget sheet. I’m a person. A person with dreams, ideas, and value that can’t be measured in data points. And maybe the world hasn’t caught up with that yet. Maybe I’ll have to shout a little louder to be heard.

So now I’m faced with a choice: pivot again, or fight for space in a world that seems determined to move on without me.

I don’t know which one I’ll choose yet.

But I do know this: I didn’t come this far to become obsolete.

And hey you know something, I wrote this article without AI.