Automation and robots are slowly taking over the repetitive tasks normally performed by humans. So, let’s take a closer look at how technology will shape future jobs and understand how career planning can help us stay relevant in the job market.
Our perception of work has gone through a quantum shift in the last couple of years. This is partly due to the introduction of new technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, drones, automation, robotic processes, autonomous vehicles, etc. These new paradigms have been driving significant changes across industries. As a result, experts estimate that the notion of work will be completely transformed within the decade. As a result, learning and reskilling should be part of your personal growth and professional development plan to prepare for the future of work.
No one knows what our work will look like in the future, but by studying changes today, we can develop insights into the best careers in the future to help us prepare for job hunting.
Significant transitions bring about tremendous uncertainty in terms of job security, availability of work, and skills required. Experts weigh in on both sides of the equation. Some despise the changes as this might mean unemployment for millions of people, not to mention the stress it might put on society. Others welcome this transition predicting a futuristic workplace where repetitive tasks are automated, machines performing labor-intensive work, and technology bringing more flexibility and remote working.
So, what will the future jobs look like?
Humans and Machines Working Together
Close to 45% of the jobs performed by humans today can be fully automated. In some industries, such automation has already started. The emergence of these trends makes employees insecure about their jobs. Looking back, the situation is comparable to the wide adoption of computers. People were skeptical that computers and the internet would make them redundant. But if we think about it, the adoption of computers created a whole new set of roles that did not exist before. New jobs required employees to use computers, fix them, program them, and perform the tasks correctly. Not to mention the thousands of jobs created in the network engineering industry to keep the internet secure and up and running.
We are watching the same scenario unfold again. Despite 45% of the workforce feeling that their jobs could be at risk, the adoption of AI, machine learning, and automation will require skilled employees to interact and communicate with these technologies. Recent studies paint a clearer picture. Despite more automation than ever before, there are close to 7 million well-paying jobs in the US alone that employers are finding difficult to fill. The real reason behind the current talent crunch is a skill gap caused by organizations engaging in digital transformations.
As technology progresses, organizations need more and more individuals to fill mid and high-skill roles. To fill these roles, you must be conversant with one or more of the following - big data, OLAP, ML, AI, automation scripting, robot deployment, drone piloting, or other high-tech skills. Exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects is necessary to achieve these skills. But the participation of American students in these high-tech and engineering courses has been dwindling for years.
Some organizations have already identified the challenges and are taking corrective steps. Amazon, for example, is investing close to US$700 million to upskill a third of its low-wage US workforce. As these 100,000 employees are brought up to speed to work with the latest technologies, we expect other companies will organize similar initiatives.
Just as with previous industrial revolutions, introducing new and sophisticated technologies does not necessarily strip away jobs. Instead, it creates opportunities that were not possible before. One possibility is for humans to be more human. And for machines to take on the dirty, dangerous, dull, repetitive, demeaning, disliked, detestable, and physically demanding tasks.
To navigate these digital transformations, you need to be ready, willing, and able to co-exist and collaborate with machines. Learning to collaborate with technology is one thing, but more importantly, you need to understand your real interests to discover the best jobs in the future that will bring you joy at work. Take the free Career Quiz to find out.
Governments, companies, and educational institutes will also need to adapt to these changes. Governments to create environments to incubate the talents required for the future. Education to teach cutting-edge and cross-cutting skills is necessary for this new age. Companies will have to share the burden of preparing their workforces for the technology they must master.
The Freelance Work Culture
Working preferences have changed over the years and will continue to change in the future. While project-based freelancers working have been a part of the economy for many decades, this work model has seen a significant uptick in the current years. Studies show that 75% of millennials now prefer project-based remote work instead of a steady job with an organization. This will be a considerable change for the workforce, economy, and current job market.
Some experts have expressed their concerns over this model since a gig-by-gig project-based career cannot guarantee job security or sustained income. If you are a freelancer or want to become one, to stay relevant, you must recognize the skills you need and take the initiative to upskill yourselves. First, you need to understand your real interests to find out the type of jobs and projects that will suit you. There are also e-learning platforms such as Coursera and Skillshare, which will help you develop your technical skills. With a better and updated skillset, you can win high-skill projects that would otherwise be impossible to secure.
Moreover, online job platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr that connect employers and freelancers can detect skill shortages and upskill members to benefit from emerging opportunities. In addition, some organizations provide learning opportunities to their members and monitor their progress via assessments. This allows better opportunities for you to grow and develop personally and professionally.
Embrace, not Resist
The changes to the workplace and future jobs as we know them are inevitable. The introduction of new technologies and the growth of the freelance economy poses challenges, but there are benefits to be derived if we overcome them. History has taught us that industrial revolutions take away tasks and jobs, creating far more opportunities to take their place. By developing the right mindset, we will embrace and adapt to this fast-changing work environment. What the future holds, we don’t know for sure. But the insights we have now will surely help us to stay prepared.
