Do we need Junior developers?

Source: Dev.to

Why This Might Seem Contradictory

The prevailing narrative claims that AI is “taking over” junior (and even senior) jobs, suggesting that everyday work will soon be done by robots—think the movie I, Robot (2005). Yet:

• Retail‑level robotics is still at least a decade away.
• Agentic AI is only now beginning to take shape.

There is some truth (e.g., chat‑bots for IT support), but a lot of hype fuels capitalism‑driven cost‑cutting, layoffs, and reorganisations that boost share prices or free up budget for other initiatives—just an inference.

The Core Question

Even if AI does replace some tasks, does that mean the industry no longer needs junior engineers or professionals? No. In my humble opinion, the need for entry‑level talent has never vanished and never will.

Entry‑Level / Junior Professionals

• You are the next generation that pushes the economic pedestal forward for your country and industry.
• You have energy, fresh perspective, internet access, and abundant free resources to upskill.
• You can understand industry trends (or learn them).
• In short: you are smart, vocal, capable, and well‑armed.

Historical Perspective

During past economic downturns—the 2000 dot‑com bust, the 2008‑09 financial crisis, and COVID‑19—freshers and juniors (and even seniors) faced real struggles:

• Many technologists moved to marketing, data‑processing, front‑office, or other roles to keep the household running.
• Layoffs forced professionals to stay out of work for months, but most eventually found relevant positions—perhaps not at a big company, but at small or midsized firms, as interns, trainees, part‑time engineers, or faculty.
• After a year or so, they landed the jobs they wanted or aspired to.

The career “toll” was a few months or a year out of a 35‑40‑year trajectory—easily recoverable in the long term.

Note: The majority of people I’ve known over the past 25 years remain employed; they simply had to pick up new skills or shift roles.

AI / Automation and the Need for Junior Engineers

Lessons from Past Automation Waves

• Software test automation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and AI chat‑bots forced professionals to acquire new skills rather than eliminate jobs.
• Some roles (e.g., manual testers, IT support staff) were reduced, but only for those who didn’t adapt.
• The impact was gradual, not instantaneous.
• Entry‑level hiring didn’t disappear; it was delayed or temporarily reduced, then rebounded—a phenomenon we can call the “delay effect.”

The Current AI Wave

1. Productivity Multipliers

   • Generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.) raise expectations for higher productivity.
   • The business demand is the same as before: “Do more, faster.”

2. Lean Organizational Hierarchies

   • AI accelerates the shift toward flatter structures and higher technical skill requirements.
   • Junior staff can respond by doing side or live projects to become job‑ready.

3. Future Agentic AI

   • When production‑ready Agentic AI arrives, it may affect facilitator roles (e.g., business analysts).
   • Who will configure Agentic AI? Developers.
   • Facilitators can mesh more business or other relevant skills into their repertoire.

How AI Will Impact Different Companies

• Business model, role segregation, customer profile, funding, etc., will dictate the exact effect.
• However, some needs are unlikely to change:

• Multiple skills over degrees – Skills have been more important than formal credentials for decades in IT.

What I Would Do If I Were a Junior Developer or Fresher Today

Being entry‑level is never easy, especially in an unsettling economic or industry climate. If I were in that position right now, I would:

1. Build a portfolio of real‑world projects (open‑source contributions, freelance gigs, personal apps).
2. Learn to prompt and supervise generative AI tools—treat them as co‑workers, not replacements.
3. Develop soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem‑solving) that AI can’t replicate.
4. Stay adaptable: keep an eye on emerging tech (cloud, DevOps, security, AI‑ops) and upskill accordingly.
5. Network actively: attend meetups, webinars, and contribute to community forums.
6. Seek mentorship—either formal (company programs) or informal (online communities).

Bottom Line

• Junior talent remains essential; they are the pipeline of fresh ideas, energy, and adaptability.
• Automation (including AI) creates a “delay” rather than a disappearance of entry‑level opportunities.
• Adaptability, continuous learning, and a growth mindset are the best defenses against any wave of automation.

Junior developers, freshers, and early aspirants—keep learning, keep building, and keep connecting. The industry needs you now more than ever.

What I Would Have Done

1. Talked to experienced engineers – search on LinkedIn, Medium, dev.to, etc.; get their guidance on realistic projects and practice.
2. Checked college/university alumni – reach out for support (keep the ego in check).
3. Volunteered for freelance projects.
4. Got into any IT role (trainee, intern, tester, engineer, support) in an organization – any foot‑in‑the‑door counts.
5. Created a smart CV – highlight projects, skills, volunteering, and education.
6. Done Network → Network → Network – one of the lifelines of a career.
7. Focused on learning and professional certification.
8. Taken career guidance from experienced IT professionals.

At the End

I hope the article resonates with someone. I would be more than happy to hear any criticism or viewpoints that broaden my own and everyone’s understanding, so we can help each other.

If you ask me about AI’s impact, I believe senior IT professionals are at a much higher risk than juniors.