In today's rapidly evolving job market, where economic uncertainty and AI-driven changes have created a challenging landscape for new graduates, one expert voice stands out: Judy Marks, CEO of Otis. With a $28.39 billion market cap and 72,000 employees under her leadership, Marks offers a unique perspective on the advantages of recent graduates in the workforce.
Marks believes that the current generation of college students, who began their education around the time of ChatGPT's launch, has an edge due to their digital nativity. Unlike previous generations, who entered the workforce during times of significant change, today's graduates have grown up alongside the rapid adoption of AI tools, giving them an innate familiarity with technology that many older workers lack.
"What this new graduate brings is a digitally native way to do problem-solving that many of us don't understand," Marks told Business Insider. "They have a value proposition." This tech savviness, she argues, could be a significant asset in a world where technology is increasingly shaping the workplace.
However, Marks also acknowledges the challenges faced by new graduates. Unemployment rates among recent college grads climbed to 5.7% at the end of 2025, and the share of graduates working in jobs that typically don't require a degree has reached 42.5%. Yet, she emphasizes that every generation has faced its own set of challenges, from the 2008 financial crisis to the pandemic and tariff threats. The key, according to Marks, is to remain flexible and agile.
"Day one, they're going to adopt technology quicker than we ever did, and they are going to make a difference," she said. This adaptability, combined with a willingness to use their voice in the workforce, is what Marks believes will set today's graduates apart. She encourages them to avoid feeling locked into narrow career trajectories and instead to invent their own paths, emphasizing that hard work still matters.
In a world where the job market is constantly evolving, Marks' advice to recent graduates is to embrace the unknown, stay open-minded, and make a difference. Her perspective highlights the importance of digital literacy and adaptability in a rapidly changing professional landscape, offering a glimmer of hope for those entering the workforce during these uncertain times.
