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Silicon Valley entrepreneur Xiaoyin Qu said that AI is not just reshaping jobs, but making practical skills more valuable than elite degrees
Students should move beyond the traditional model of obtaining a degree and waiting for job offers. (AI Image)
Artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid technological change are reshaping the global job market, reducing the importance of elite university degrees and placing greater emphasis on practical skills and demonstrable work, according to Silicon Valley entrepreneur Xiaoyin Qu.
Qu said that until a few years ago, a computer science degree from prestigious institutions such as Stanford or MIT almost guaranteed employment. Large technology firms regularly recruited from campuses, offering high salaries and signing bonuses to fresh graduates. However, the hiring landscape has shifted significantly in recent years.
According to a TOI report, major technology companies have reduced recruitment of interns and entry-level employees. Companies are increasingly focusing on experienced professionals and specialised talent, leaving many fresh graduates struggling to secure jobs despite strong academic records.
Qu noted that companies are now trying to maximise productivity from existing teams rather than expanding their workforce. As a result, a university degree alone is no longer sufficient to secure employment in the technology sector.
At the same time, some young professionals without extensive academic credentials are securing lucrative opportunities by demonstrating real-world skills. Qu said companies now value candidates who can “show their work” through tangible achievements such as building products, publishing research, or developing innovative projects.
She cited the example of a 19-year-old student who secured a job after winning a hackathon at Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, describing hackathons and project-based competitions as “live interviews” for recruiters.
Qu also highlighted the growing popularity of the “build in public” trend, in which young technology professionals share their projects online and explain how they used artificial intelligence tools to develop them. Such candidates are increasingly being hired for roles in areas such as developer relations, marketing, and technical communication.
According to Qu, professionals who understand artificial intelligence and can explain complex concepts in simple language are sometimes considered more valuable than candidates with years of conventional experience.
Qu advised students to move beyond the traditional model of obtaining a degree and waiting for job offers. Instead, she urged them to actively build projects, participate in competitions, launch products, and publicly showcase their work.
She said that while students who rely solely on academic grades are finding it difficult to secure employment, those with practical experience and demonstrable skills are receiving multiple job offers. In the evolving AI-driven job market, practical skills and real-world work are increasingly outweighing academic performance.
Xiaoyin Qu is a Silicon Valley-based technology entrepreneur and former product lead at Facebook and Instagram. She was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and her virtual events platform, Run The World, was acquired in 2023.
February 25, 2026, 17:56 IST
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