College students are increasingly anxious about how artificial intelligence could reshape the job market, prompting universities to rethink career preparation. Dartmouth College, one of the nation’s most prestigious Ivy League schools, has just committed $30 million in endowed funds to bolster internship opportunities. The new program will allow students to receive up to $6,500 each term to cover the costs of unpaid or under‑paid internships, giving them a chance to gain real‑world experience in fields that might otherwise be out of reach.

“Higher education needs to do better for our students and help them be prepared,” said Joseph Catrino, the inaugural director of Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design. “We must step up and help students be prepared for a future where many jobs will be reshaped by AI.”

Dartmouth’s move is part of a broader trend across higher‑education institutions. The City University of New York, for example, has launched a sweeping initiative that pairs career‑connected advising with paid internships, apprenticeships and industry collaborations across its 180,000‑student system. CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez emphasized the importance of equipping graduates with direction, experience and connections, not just a diploma.

The urgency of these programs is underscored by recent research. A 2025 Indeed report found that technology and finance roles are among the most vulnerable to generative AI, while a Stanford study noted early declines in employment for software developers and customer‑support staff exposed to AI. A Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas analysis echoed these findings, highlighting significant employment drops in AI‑intensive occupations.

Survey data suggests that student concern is high: two‑thirds of students feel pessimistic about the job market, and nearly half have considered changing their field of study or the skills they are developing because of AI. Experts warn that the number of students changing majors or career paths is likely to rise as the technology’s impact becomes clearer.

“We have to be nimble and quick,” Catrino said. “Higher education has a big task at hand to keep students from being left behind as the job landscape evolves.”

Dartmouth’s $30 million investment signals a growing recognition that preparing students for an AI‑driven economy may require more than traditional coursework; it may demand hands‑on experience, industry partnerships and a willingness to adapt quickly to shifting labor market demands.