Career strategist and talent consultant Elizabeth Lenihan discusses how AI skills and knowledge can amplify the graduate experience, but only when implemented correctly.

The STEM graduate experience has changed significantly in response to a sector that is constantly evolving. The expectations, workload, tools and even the overall outcome are not the same as they were before the introduction of advanced technologies such as AI, or even pre-pandemic where work was not as ‘online’ as it is now. 

Elizabeth Lenihan, a career strategist and talent consultant, explained that currently Ireland’s graduate landscape has narrowed and is more selective than before, for two primary reasons. 

The first being that Ireland’s economy is concentrated in knowledge-intensive sectors like tech, science and financial services, which makes the labour market more exposed to AI than most advanced economies. 

She finds that the second factor is behavioural, in that AI has made it easier to disregard dozens of applications in a single afternoon. Lenihan recounts a situation where she had more than 300 applications land across her desk within 24 hours of posting a role, only to find that a significant portion are unaligned with the advertised position. 

For those applying for a graduate role, who genuinely want to have an edge over the competition, she suggests avoiding batch applying and instead becoming more selective, so you can show specifically what you bring and why you would be an asset. 

Lenihan told SiliconRepublic.com: “AI hasn’t closed the door on graduate roles, but it is reshaping them. Some of the repetitive groundwork graduates used to learn now runs on its own, so what’s left expects more judgement from day one. 

“What’s being asked for now is evidence of potential. Can you think, adapt, solve a real problem and work alongside the tools your employer already uses, AI included? That doesn’t mean becoming a specialist overnight, it means showing you can work with it rather than be replaced by the parts of your role it can already do.”

So, should students and graduates looking for their next opportunity prioritise a modernised education by developing AI skills?

Lenihan thinks they should focus on which layer of the AI economy they are hoping to access: a technical, credentialed role that’s harder to enter but more durable, or a lower-barrier entry point that’s easier to land and likely more exposed. 

“As AI keeps evolving, the ability to navigate change, curiosity, communication and judgement will matter just as much as the credential, so build both together rather than betting on one,” she said.

But don’t fall into the common trap of reducing your experiences to run-of-the-mill or cliched sentences, despite their popularity. 

Lenihan explained: “Evidence beats description; a project or a piece of real experience says more than another line claiming ‘strong communication skills’. Don’t underestimate what volunteering, part-time work, education or sport gives you – real stories to draw on instead of speaking hypothetically. 

“Reflect on the capabilities developed, technical competence, critical thinking, meeting tight deadlines, teamwork and performing under pressure. These are all transferable. Be able to describe the brief, your contribution, the skills applied, and the outcome.”

For Lenihan it is important that graduates make use of all available resources and that their journey towards a programme or career is self-driven. 

She explained: “University career services are underused – most students only walk in during final year, by which point the useful relationships, alumni contacts, and mentors needed a year’s head start. 

“Beyond that, map out your own motivators and strengths before you start applying, then build relationships, put yourself in front of people, tech meetups, industry events, job fairs and LinkedIn used for real conversations rather than cold applications. I’ve met so many talented graduates at tech events and a memorable personal encounter trumps a name on a page every time.”

She added: “You are your career strategy, no one else. Not everyone gets what they want immediately and that is not a failure of the process. The value is in identifying areas of genuine interest and curiosity and then building the skills and experience to move toward them with intention.”

She finds that asking clear, focused questions, actively seeking feedback and consistently revising your goals and the level of progress you have made, are powerful practices that can be put into place early on in a career, setting the foundation for learning and longevity. 

“When that foundation is in place, an interview becomes a conversation rather than an interrogation. Rejection becomes a data point rather than a verdict and difficult feedback becomes information rather than a threat.”

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