Are you equipping yourself for future careers?
The job market is being fundamentally altered by new technology and trends
The future job market holds more opportunity than ever before to define a meaningful career path. Whether you have always known what you wanted to do or are still a little unsure, the constant, rapid change of the South African and global job market calls us to refine our skills and focus on building a career that really matters.
Technology continues to disrupt our industries, bringing new challenges and opportunities every day. The sharing economy has changed how we use services such as transport and accommodation, while technological innovation is impacting key sectors. Interested in artificial intelligence? You could become a machine learning specialist and design the thinking machines of the future. Always had an interest in gaming or visuals? You could showcase your creativity as a virtual reality engineer as VR becomes an important trend for brands such as Google to connect with their customers in new ways.
Technology will continue to introduce exciting, interesting career paths. It also impacts the world’s current career options. Repetitive, automated tasks in manufacturing and agriculture have been replaced by machines. Automation is now spreading to unexpected fields, such as private banking and wealth management. Algorithms are growing so intelligent, that they may soon have the ability to analyse data and make intelligent financial forecasts. Even the traditionally secure jobs in law, accounting and engineering could change under the influence of technology. This is not as futuristic as it may sound. In 2016, IBM successfully launched ROSS, “the world’s first artificially intelligent attorney”.
Which then, are the most promising jobs of the future? Software application developers and systems analysts will be in demand, as well as app developers, information security analysts and even gamification designers. Healthcare is one of the world’s fastest growing sectors, with professionals needed such as physiotherapists, medical sonographers, dental hygienists and registered nurses. Customer service will also be a strong sector for career growth, with jobs for retail salespeople, customer service representatives and store managers. If you’re a budding entrepreneur, you could also open an online retail store of your own. If you have a flair for food or hosting, jobs as chefs, food chemists and restaurant managers will remain important.
Futurist and keynote speaker Raymond de Villiers believes job interviews and CVs are also expected to change. Employers are beginning to see the value in ongoing learning and online courses and realising that innovative information and education is key. While a degree or other relevant qualification remains an important ticket into the business arena, other factors will have a strong influence once you cross the working threshold. Once in the working world, you will need to remain competitive with relevant, up-to-date knowledge and practical experience — and postgraduate qualifications are key here.
No matter what skills you develop or what you qualify in, you will succeed in the future job market if you can work comfortably with new technology and engage constructively with your colleagues. You should be willing to adapt, learn new things and take on new responsibilities. Most importantly, you should enter the workplace with a sense of purpose and willingness to contribute. The best jobs of the future will revolve around combining smart technology and skilled resources to provide products and services that are always moving forward in exciting and innovative new ways.