Poppin’ Jobs founder targets Gen Z employment gap with AI-driven platform

Connor Vukelich, a 20-year-old student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has launched Poppin’ Jobs, a digital platform designed to assist US job seekers aged 16 to 24. The initiative addresses specific entry-level employment barriers, including competition from senior applicants, 'ghost jobs', and employer 'ghosting'. The platform offers résumé building tools and an AI interview assistant, while also featuring a local job map to assist young people without driver’s licenses. Vukelich, who founded the service during high school, advises Gen Z workers to integrate AI skills into their professional toolkit, citing data from AI startup Writer that suggests frequent AI users are more likely to receive raises. The platform currently hosts a database of 100,000 potential job seekers, with Vukelich focusing on scaling employer participation to increase access to local jobs and volunteer opportunities.

Vukelich established the company after encountering difficulties securing employment for himself and his peers during high school. Frustrated by the prevalence of 'ghost jobs' and the tendency of legacy job boards to prioritise senior-level talent, he sought to create an alternative dedicated to the entry-level demographic. The platform aims to walk young workers through the hiring process, providing specialised guidance for a group navigating the workforce for the first time.

The launch comes amid growing concerns that artificial intelligence may automate entry-level white-collar roles. Industry leaders, including Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, have warned of significant disruption to junior positions. An Anthropic study indicated that AI is already theoretically capable of automating the majority of tasks in management, business, finance, and law, primarily replacing the rote tasks typically reserved for entry-level workers.

To mitigate these risks, Poppin’ Jobs integrates AI interview assistants and résumé building tools to help users compete effectively. Vukelich advises young workers to integrate AI tools into their skillsets, citing a study from AI startup Writer which found that employees who frequently use AI are more likely to receive raises. He emphasises that future hiring will likely prioritise passion and the ability to combine AI knowledge with existing skills.

While the unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-olds sat at 9.5% in April, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, it remains down from a high of 10.6% last November. A recent ZipRecruiter study found that a majority of college grads are finding work in entrepreneurship, the gig economy, and in freelance positions after graduating as entry-level white collar roles become harder and harder to find.

Vukelich is currently focused on scaling the number of employers on the website to attract more local jobs and volunteer opportunities. The platform includes a local job map feature designed for young people without driver’s licenses, facilitating access to opportunities via alternative transport such as bicycles. This infrastructure aims to reduce logistical barriers for young workers who may not yet have obtained their driver’s licenses.

The initiative reflects a broader shift in how young people approach career entry, with some college grads shifting the type of work they choose to pursue immediately after departing campus. By providing a dedicated space for Gen Z, Poppin’ Jobs seeks to streamline the job search process and provide a structured pathway into the workforce, countering the fragmentation caused by traditional job boards and the evolving demands of the AI-driven economy.