While some people opt to pursue their hobbies solely, while others receive careers and businesses from their families, others find themselves wondering, \"What should I do next?\" Those who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing, layoffs, or cuts, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, face second and third career options, as well as the possibility of returning to school to obtain the necessary degrees. Entry-level jobs that utilize new college graduates talents are difficult to come by. Older workers are being persuaded to retire early. Even those working are looking for ways to leave jobs that don't offer much in the form of promotion.
On the other hand, some occupations demonstrate that there is hope at the end of the tunnel. Many of them reflect our infatuation with technology, as well as our growing reliance on it. Some stem from the search for new, renewable energy sources, while others expand on our current energy needs. Others are related to our country's shifting demographics as the baby boomer generation continues to age. Regardless, there are many open, profitable, and gratifying career alternatives for motivated job seekers.
Key takeaway
- The nature of work and careers is rapidly evolving, and in the future, the right talents will be valued more than just academic credentials.
- Employers can modify their hiring methods to fit this evolving paradigm thanks to the COVID-19 delay.
- Companies ability to adapt their thinking will determine their future performance.
- According to the World Economic Forum, technology will undoubtedly transform more than 1 billion jobs in the next decade, accounting for over one-third of all jobs worldwide.
The choice of courses and degree programs to pursue is highly determined by the industrys demand for related knowledge and skills. Here are some broader skills with high prospects of growth.
1. Data skills
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According to the World Economic Forum, data and artificial intelligence will be one of the most important future growth drivers. Well get to AI later, but for now, lets concentrate on data skills. In terms of data literacy, there is now a skills gap. According to Accenture and Qlik research, seventy-four percent (74%) of employees are hesitant to deal with data. On average, this has repercussions; businesses lose 43 hours of productivity per employee each year due to a lack of data literacy.
Furthermore, according to a PwC study, while 69 percent of companies will require data skills from employees by 2021, only 17 percent of the UK workforce is considered \"data literate.\"
Relevant courses: Applied Data Science, Computer Science with data science, Data and network analysis, data science and artificial intelligence, Business analyst, Data scientist, software developer
2. Artificial intelligence
The second side of the WEFs data-AI pairing is AI. One of the primary drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is rapid developments in AI and machine learning. These will transform the way we work by automating tedious processes faster and more precisely than any human could, identifying trends to forecast what will happen in the future, and providing highly personalized user experiences.
While programming and analytic abilities are essential for AI creation, those in other job categories who will be using AI in their operations and managers overseeing the process would benefit greatly from an understanding of AI/machine learning.
It was prophesied before the Coronavirus that AI will eventually create more employment than it would destroy. The current status of the global economy necessitates a temporary reassessment of any employment development estimates. Those with the ability to develop and use artificial intelligence and machine learning, on the other hand, will be in a better position. We should also expect a trickle-down effect; according to the World Economic Forum, AI and associated technologies will increase economic growth, resulting in more jobs for everyone.
Relevant Courses: Data science and artificial intelligence, Machine Learning in business, AI-driven digital marketing, software development courses
3. Blockchain
Blockchain ranked first on LinkedIns ranking of the most in-demand hard talents for the year 2020. While most people think about blockchain when they think of Bitcoin, its potential economic uses are much broader. Blockchain is defined as a decentralised public ledger. It provides a secure and verifiable record of trades and transactions while obviating the need for established authorities, such as banks in the case of Bitcoin.
The financial impact of blockchain is expected to be enormous. The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2027, 10% of global GDP would be kept on blockchain.
These are just a few examples of what it could be used. Many career prospects in the industry will be related to the initial period of implementation and compliance, as blockchain is only now beginning to touch the world outside of bitcoin.
4. Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing don't seem like occupations that are very forward-thinking. These talents, however, will be necessary for future workplaces since they cannot be mechanized. At least for the time being, these professions require a human touch to gain an advantage in the new digital terrain.
Technology has transformed marketing, allowing new channels such as social media, affiliate marketing (another top LinkedIn talent), and digital content to emerge. More crucially, analytic tools enable a hitherto unheard-of level of data collecting and performance evaluation. As a result, the stakes are raised, forcing marketers to step up their game to stay competitive.
Human marketers will be required to make decisions and drive campaigns, regardless of how advanced the tools get. Salespeople will also be necessary to close deals with other people. These job functions continue to bear the burden of generating revenue, whether directly or indirectly.
Relevant courses: software development courses
5. Healthcare and nursing
The worlds population is growing older. In 2015, 12.3% of the worlds population was over 60 years old. This is expected to climb to 16.4 percent by 2030 and then to 21.3 percent by 2050. This tendency will be most noticeable in Europe, North America, and East Asia, where lower birth rates and longer life expectancies will alter society's makeup.
As a result, there will be greater demand for healthcare and nursing abilities in the future job market. Nurse shortages are already occurring in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Japan, among other countries.
When these shortages are compared to the projected growth in demand, it is evident that nurses and other healthcare professionals will be in great demand, not just in the employment market but across humanity. The coronavirus epidemic, without question, has let us all understand it more vividly than ever before.
Relevant courses: Nurse, Healthcare professionals, Medical doctors
6. Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is one of the most commonly mentioned qualities in lists of what will be required in the future and current labor market. It also has personal advantages. According to research, emotional intelligence is one of the most accurate indicators of professional success and wage levels.
Empathy lies at the heart of emotional intelligence (many believe TED speaker Brené Brown to be the foremost authority on the subject). Emotional intelligence people are aware of their own and others feelings and how these affect their behaviors and decisions. They give and receive critique with humility, are dependable and committed to assisting others, and are willing to apologize and forgive when necessary. Being aware of and mindful of cultural differences has become an emotional intelligence mix as we progress towards a more globalized world.
7. Creativity
Creativity is frequently cited as a critical quality for the future. Its vital to emphasize that this isn't limited to \"creative\" occupations but applies to all businesses and activities.
According to Accenture, the quality of creativity has been increasingly important in all types of vocations in recent years. Indeed, it is suggested that creativity is more vital than the often-emphasized STEM abilities for a wide range of occupations.
The term creativity is a broader one. Complex problem solving, transdisciplinary thinking, and cognitive flexibility are just a few of the abilities that will be required in future workplaces. Education is critical in cultivating creativity not just at school or at university but throughout our lives, whether through official education or life experience.
Creativity, like emotional intelligence, will be at the heart of all future vocations. And, like emotional intelligence, creativity in all of its forms cannot be programmed. Machines may do the legwork for us, but they can only do what we instruct them. It is up to us to perceive the connections, take chances, and identify the issues we believe must be addressed. After all, machines can only learn what we tell them to.
Course: Leadership and Emotional Intelligence,
However, various factors influence career choices, including personality, cognitive ability, interests, environment, availability of options, and many more. For further reading, please check the following links:
Nyasha D Ziwewe is a Software Developer and Consultant at Industrial Psychology Consultants (Pvt) Ltd a management and human resources consulting firm. Phone +263 4 481946-48/481950 or email: nyasha@ipcconsultants.com or visit our website at www.ipcconsultants.com