Why New Grads Should Bet Big on AI Workflow Jobs

Forget Biz Ops. The future's buzzing about AI Ops. Jiaona Zhang, the brains behind Laurel's product strategy, sees a seismic shift. New grads, listen up: the 'AI workflows' role is your golden ticket.

The New Biz Ops

Jiaona Zhang, a Stanford lecturer and chief product officer at Laurel, a company that bagged $100 million in Series C last year, is ringing the AI bell. She argues the 'AI workflows' role is the new Biz Ops. And she's got a point. It's about spotting inefficiencies and deploying AI to fix them. Simple, right? But here's the kicker: it's not just a tech thing. Every department can jump in.

Take Laurel's own experience. They hired a fresh grad who crafted an AI agent as a personal chief of staff for sales. Now he's the office hero. It's a position that combines tech-savvy with strategic vision. And it's gaining traction.

A Role for Every Grad

Zhang's advice is clear. If you want to stand out, make this role yours, even if it doesn't exist yet. In sales? Automate your workflows. The goal isn't just to hit your numbers, it's to amplify the entire team's success. She puts it plainly: proving you save time and bring value is how you make waves in the job market.

A Growing Trend

It's not just Zhang singing this tune. Companies like Box are on the hunt for similar roles. An 'AI business automation engineer' role there pays up to $183,000. It's like a forward-deployed engineer but focused inward. Expect this to be the norm.

As AI reshapes entry-level roles, it's time to adapt. Leaders like Jensen Huang and Scott Galloway have had their say on staying relevant. Their advice? Learn to adapt. But let me say this plainly: the best investors in the world are adding AI skills to their portfolios. Are you?