UL Careers Early Careers Employer Survey 2026

Insights from Higher Education Careers Experts

Careers experts across Irish higher education report an active graduate market, with headline graduate employment outcomes remaining relatively strong. That said, the market has become more selective, competitive and unpredictable. 1. The Graduate Market Is Recalibrating Across several higher education institutions, career experts report static or declining graduate intake in sectors such as technology and consulting. At the same time, application/hiring windows are shortening, and recruitment cycles are becoming less visible to students. The result is a market that still offers opportunities but calls for earlier engagement, stronger awareness, and more proactive self navigating on the part of students. 2. AI Literacy Is Becoming a Baseline Expectation Employers are increasingly expecting graduates to demonstrate a practical understanding of AI tools and their responsible, thoughtful application in the workplace. Career experts report that, in effect, what was previously seen as an additional or specialist skill has come to be viewed by employers as a core capability. In response, higher education institutions are embedding digital and AI literacy earlier within both academic and careers education programmes, reinforcing AI’s role in future graduate employability.

3. Career Pathways Are Becoming Less Linear Early career pathways are becoming more varied and less structured than in previous years. Graduates are increasingly moving across roles, sectors, and contract types before achieving long-term alignment. Traditional linear career progression is giving way to a more fluid and exploratory career journey. This represents an important shift for graduates and places greater emphasis on their adaptability, resilience, and ability to make informed career decisions over time. 4. Structural Pressures Are Shaping the Market The continued expansion of higher education participation has led to incremental increases in the number of graduates entering the labour market each year. While this reflects significant progress in widening access, it also contributes to a more competitive and complex graduate employment landscape. In parallel, some sectors are adjusting hiring levels following periods of rapid growth. Institutions are responding by intervening earlier in the student journey, embedding employability within curricula, strengthening employer partnerships, and expanding access to work-based learning.

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