As graduates face a 'jobpocalypse,' Goldman Sachs exec tells Gen Z they need to know their commercial impact | Fortune

"Unemployment among recent grads has climbed to 5.8% (the highest since 2013, excluding the pandemic) as companies rethink hiring amid AI-driven productivity gains. The pressure is already forcing young people to rethink what it takes to stand out-especially in fields where six-figure pay once felt like a given. But for those aiming for Wall Street, one Goldman Sachs executive has a blunt message for young professionals trying to get ahead: Know what you bring to the table."

"Luckily for those unable to put an exact number to their job function, it's not just commercial awareness that is key in the current market. Kostin's advice reflects a broader shift inside Wall Street firms, where technical skills, like using AI tools, are increasingly expected-but no longer enough on their own. Judgement, context, and self-awareness are also becoming real differentiators."

"But for those aiming for Wall Street, one Goldman Sachs executive has a blunt message for young professionals trying to get ahead: Know what you bring to the table. "Think about one's role and how that fits into the broader business environment," David Kostin, Goldman Sachs' chief U.S. equity strategist, said on the Goldman Sachs' Exchanges podcast. "If you understand where you sit and your contributions to the commercial process, then you can see how that changes over time.""

Unemployment among recent college graduates has risen to 5.8%, the highest since 2013 excluding the pandemic, as companies rethink hiring amid AI-driven productivity gains. Young professionals face greater pressure to differentiate themselves, especially in fields where high starting pay was common. David Kostin emphasizes understanding one's role and contributions within the broader commercial process. AI-powered automation can replace jobs at far lower cost, making it vital to assess whether tools like ChatGPT outperform specific skills. Investing in in-demand technical abilities remains important, but judgment, context, self-awareness, and other human skills are growing differentiators. LinkedIn data lists AI literacy as the fastest-growing skill alongside conflict mitigation, adaptability, process optimization, and innovative thinking.

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