ChatGPT will replace programmers?

[Joshua Gross]

Is studying computer science in college worthwhile with AI like ChatGPT replacing programming jobs and evolving rapidly each year? Should I explore other fields to avoid job market struggles and potential difficulty in job retention after graduation?
First, expect to struggle on the job market no matter what. Welcome to the modern world, where employees are seen as "human resources" instead of as human beings; no employer will hire a person to do a job when they can save a little bit of money by not.

Second, there isn't a ton of evidence supporting your claim that ChatGPT is replacing programming jobs. The reports I have from my friends in industry are that these LLM's are useful tools for augmenting productivity, but that they aren't the magic problem solvers they are purported to be. Students get anxious because ChatGPT and its ilk can often solve homework problems, but homework problems are narrow and overspecified. Real world programming is nothing like that; these are set pieces to teach a specific skills.

But if you see no worth in study and computer science, then definitely don't. Look at the past decade as an aberration; it was never sustainable that new grads could commonly command salaries of $150,000 a year. My recent grads seem to be doing reasonably well, given the market downturn. As well as last year? No, and I don't anticipate we will see that kind of market again.

If you want what amounts to a guaranteed career, go for nursing. Of course, that might be a terrible fit for you, and it's incredibly competitive, but if it's a fit and you can make it through, it's relatively easy to find employment, and potentially very good pay.