Anyone starting university today, or who has just graduated, is entering a job market that is changing faster than for previous generations. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing which qualifications are in demand – and the speed of that change. At the same time, another trend is becoming more visible, both in consulting practice and in start-up statistics: more and more people with a university degree see their own business not as a fallback but as a deliberate career strategy – alongside employment or instead of it.
In this article we look at what the current labour market data really means, which degrees and professions remain stable for now in the age of AI, and why many graduates – whatever their subject, including international students who study or have graduated in Germany – should take a closer look at self-employment. A general overview of starting a business: Self-employment in Germany: opportunities, costs and the route to your own company.
Why the job market for university graduates is changing right now
For decades a simple rule applied: people with a university degree were less likely to be out of work than the population as a whole – even in years of crisis. However, an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that in the US this relationship has changed since around 2022: unemployment among young university graduates aged 22 to 27 is now higher than the average for society as a whole. According to Eurostat, similar trends can be seen in Germany among university graduates aged 25 to 29.
Labour market researchers such as Enzo Weber of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) see several reasons for this at once. One of the key ones is that many companies are currently not filling vacancies in order to save costs. Added to this is economic uncertainty: trade conflicts, international competition and energy costs. According to Weber, economic and political uncertainty is currently extraordinarily high – a factor that operates independently of developments in AI but adds to them.
The main difference from previous crises lies in the nature of the change. Earlier shocks, such as the 2008 financial crisis or the coronavirus pandemic, generally did not affect the core of most companies’ business models. The current changes concern the business models themselves. When tasks previously carried out by junior staff are increasingly supported or replaced by AI systems, it is not individual jobs that change but entire routes into a profession.
Degrees and professions that keep good prospects despite AI
Not all fields are affected equally. An analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York comparing unemployment rates with the median income of graduates with work experience identifies a group of subjects where pay is above average and unemployment is low at the same time. Above all, these are engineering degrees and practice-oriented technical professions.
| Degree subject | Unemployment rate | Median income (mid-career) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical engineering | 1.7 % | $104,000 |
| Geography | 1.6 % | $88,000 |
| Aerospace engineering | 2.2 % | $130,000 |
| Construction management | 2.2 % | $120,000 |
| Civil engineering | 2.3 % | $115,000 |
| Nursing (Pflegewissenschaften) | 2.1 % | $87,000 |
| Financial management | 2.8 % | $112,000 |
Degree subjects with a low risk of unemployment and above-average pay (US). Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Employer demand confirms the picture. According to Indeed labour market economist Virginia Sondergeld, since 2022 medical, nursing and therapy professions have been the only notable group in which the number of job ads has grown or at least remained stable. They are supported by demographic change, which drives demand regardless of developments in AI.
| Field | Change in job ads since 2022 |
|---|---|
| Therapy professions | +4 % |
| Care (Pflege) | −8 % |
| Construction | −13 % |
| Skilled trades and technology | −28 % |
| IT applications | −53 % |
| Marketing | −59 % |
| Software development | −66 % |
Source: Indeed Hiring Lab · visualisation by Vitavia Akademie.
Which fields are currently under the most pressure from AI
Demand has fallen most for classic white-collar work – professions carried out mainly at a screen that can easily be broken down into separate, clearly defined steps. Among the most affected areas are software development, HR, customer service and marketing. Part of this decline began before generative AI became widespread, but AI has noticeably accelerated it: companies hire more cautiously when they expect efficiency gains from automation.
At the same time, high-paying subjects are not automatically protected from the crisis. In the US data, computer science, computer engineering, physics and international relations show both high salaries and above-average unemployment among young graduates. This suggests that today a career start is determined more by work experience, specialisation and practical additional qualifications than by the name of the degree itself. More for IT professionals: AI-proof IT skills and the route to self-employment.
A high salary is no protection in itself. Subjects such as computer science or physics still offer attractive salaries – but starting a career has become harder because many entry-level tasks are increasingly being automated.
Hands-on professions and working with people. Professions with a large share of practical work, advisory work or direct contact with people – for example in healthcare, care or construction – currently show the most stable demand.
What labour market researchers advise graduates
Labour market researchers consider the general advice to choose a “crisis-proof” subject to be of little use. Much more important is how well a person can deal with change. According to an analysis by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), self-organisation and a willingness to learn are currently among the most sought-after skills on the German job market – regardless of the subject studied.
A university education above all develops abstract thinking, the ability to learn and self-organisation – skills whose importance is growing in a job market marked by frequent technological change.
– paraphrasing the assessments of labour market researchers, including the IAB
Why many graduates are also betting on their own business
This is where a trend that has grown noticeably stronger in recent years comes into play: instead of relying on a single salaried job, more and more graduates are exploring how to turn their qualifications into their own offer – as a freelancer (Freiberufler, member of a liberal profession), through a side business (Nebengewerbe) alongside the start of their career, or by founding a fully fledged company.
This makes sense: when there are fewer classic entry-level positions, the ability to sell your work directly to clients rather than to a single employer becomes an additional safety net. This applies particularly to fields where expertise, advice or craftsmanship are at the forefront – from IT consulting and skilled trades to therapy and teaching services.
It is important to assess the situation realistically: self-employment is no automatic guarantee of work. But it changes the starting conditions – instead of “one CV, one employer” you have “several potential clients, your own offer”. If you want to take this route in Germany, familiarise yourself with the basic conditions for starting a business early on. Guidance on legal form, taxes and typical pitfalls is in our overview Self-employed in Germany 2026.
The route to self-employment: what future founders in Germany should generally know
Starting a business in Germany usually follows a recurring pattern of several stages. The points below give a first overview – they do not replace individual advice, as requirements may differ depending on the industry, legal form and personal situation. Practical guidance is available in the section Consulting: overview and in the Gründungscoaching (start-up coaching) programme.
Gewerbe or Freiberuf. Whether your activity has to be registered as a Gewerbe (trade, registered with the Gewerbeamt – the trade office) or counts as a liberal profession (Freiberuf) depends on the specific nature of the work. This classification determines, among other things, registration obligations and the types of tax. More on trade registration: Registering a Gewerbe in Germany.
Legal form. An Einzelunternehmen (sole proprietorship), GbR (civil-law partnership), UG (mini-GmbH with limited liability) or GmbH (limited liability company) differ in liability, set-up costs and taxation, among other things. The right legal form depends on the specific project.
- Idea and target group. Formulate your business idea and target group clearly before taking any formal steps.
- Classifying the activity. Check whether your activity is a Gewerbe or a liberal profession.
- Legal form. Compare suitable options in terms of liability, capital requirements and costs.
- Taxes and accounting. Learn the basics of bookkeeping, Umsatzsteuer (VAT) and Einkommensteuer (income tax).
- Insurance. Plan health insurance, disability insurance and, if necessary, pension provision in advance.
- Points of contact. Know your first points of contact: the IHK (Chamber of Commerce and Industry), the Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Crafts) or start-up advice services.
The formal steps of registering a Gewerbe are usually quite manageable. The main challenge generally lies elsewhere – in building a viable business model, a reliable customer base and a correct tax structure. Requirements and procedures may differ depending on the federal state, the industry and current legislation; always check them with the competent authorities.
Common mistakes when starting a career as a self-employed person
- Calculating without additional costs: many beginners set their hourly rate too low and do not sufficiently account for health and pension insurance, a tax reserve or periods without orders.
- Dealing with tax questions too late: anyone who only looks into Umsatzsteuer, the Kleinunternehmerregelung (the small business scheme without charging VAT) or bookkeeping after starting risks unnecessary work and back payments.
- No positioning: too broad a range of services without a clear target group makes it hard for potential clients to understand and choose the offer.
Frequently asked questions about careers and professions in the age of AI
Which degree is best protected against AI?
Is it still worth going to university despite AI?
Can self-employment be a sensible alternative to a classic career start?
Where can I find reliable information about starting a business in Germany?
If you want to understand how these changes in the job market relate to your situation, or you are planning to start a business in Germany, you can book a personal consultation or join one of Vitavia Akademie’s education programmes. Together we will look at your starting point and help you avoid typical beginner mistakes.
Book a consultationLegal notice: This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute individual legal, tax, financial or investment advice and does not replace a personal consultation with a tax adviser (Steuerberater), a lawyer (Rechtsanwalt) or the competent authorities. Legislation and administrative practice may change and may differ in a specific case. Everyone’s situation is different. Before making important decisions, check the current requirements with official sources and consult a qualified professional. Vitavia Akademie provides education and orientation but does not replace public authorities or individual legal advice. See also: Impressum and Datenschutz.
Sources
- Federal Reserve Bank of New York – Economic Research: labour market data for university graduates (as of May 2026 / February 2026)
- Eurostat – unemployment rates by age group and level of education, Germany and the EU
- Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB) – assessments by Enzo Weber on labour market developments
- Indeed Hiring Lab – development of job ads by occupational group since 2022
- European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) – skills demand on the German job market
