Crain’s Detroit Business
Sept. 3, 2026
Anna Fifelski
It’s more difficult than ever to secure an entry-level job in Michigan, experts say — and the issue isn’t limited to just one industry or one driving factor. It’s an issue that’s of particular importance to Michigan, which has long grappled with how to keep college graduates in the state after they earn their degrees.
“In terms of what’s happening for recent college grads, there is a mixture of uncertainty induced by tariffs and tariff policy, and uncertainty over AI … a lot of companies are waiting for things to shake out,” said Greg Handel, Chief Education and Talent Officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber.
Technology and other traditionally white-collar roles are pivoting toward a more experienced workforce, showing signs of displacement from AI and other automation adoption, said Sneha Puri, an economist with the Indeed Hiring Lab.
Handel sees those trends as part of a broader slowdown.
“My take would be that this is kind of more driven by the economic cycle right now. We’re growing, but growth is relatively slow, and so it’s entry-level hiring that typically is impacted by that,” Handel said.
Roughly one in four young adults expects to leave Michigan within 10 years, according to a 2023 survey conducted by The Glengariff Group for the Detroit Regional Chamber and Business Leaders for Michigan. Those who say they are most likely to move out of state are residents with college degrees or who are enrolled in college.
That raises the stakes for Michigan employers that depend on a steady pipeline of young talent — and for those trying to convince graduates they don’t have to leave the state to build a career.
Handel said the risk isn’t just that young workers leave Michigan now, but that employers follow them later.
“Talent drives prosperity,” Handel said. “A generation or two ago, people moved to where the best jobs were. Today, employers with the best jobs go to where the best talent is. Once people leave, it’s much easier to keep someone here than it is to try and lure them back once they’ve left.”