Shaz Shafiq is renowned,respected Tech Career Coach and co-founder of Transform Learning Academy (TLA) and sub-brand Data Analysis Mastery.
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As 2024 unfolds, the world of work has become even more complex. From new geopolitical issues to ongoing economic shifts, it appears we are entering a new era.
Who's the new kid on the block? It's the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies, and it may seem like we are witnessing the cusp of something great.
However, employee stress is at an all-time high globally, and some of that might be due to AI. Many workers worry about AI taking their jobs and what the future holds.
The AI Job Quake
According to McKinsey, 12 million workers may need to switch jobs by 2030. This shift could create more high-paying jobs. However, lower-wage professionals are more likely to be affected and may need new skills. Women are also more likely to transition to new occupations than men.
Hence, it's crucial to understand new trends, especially how powerful AI can be in changing things. This will help us be flexible and adjust as the world around us keeps evolving.
Spoiler: It is believed that a quarter of all jobs are expected to transform in just five years.
How Generative AI Is Reshaping The Workspace
Last year was the launchpad of generative AI (GenAI), and it revolutionized the workplace. According to the World Economic Forum, businesses cannot keep up with the pace of technological advancements to adequately plan and implement training initiatives.
It also draws attention to the fact that employers predict that by 2027, almost half (44%) of workers' critical talents will be disrupted. So how can you charge ahead in this "brave new world"?
As a tech career coach, I always emphasize that professionals should follow "the super personalized approach." More than ever, it's time to focus on your soft skills. A key differentiating factor will be what "human skills" you bring to the table while technology does what it was meant to do: churn numbers and make your life easier.
What will make your life easier will be becoming AI literate.
In the age of GenAI, companies are figuring out how to make work better, how to create a positive work environment and how to measure and reward success in new ways. So the personalized approach is a more symbiotic way of embracing the job quake caused by AI to lead a fulfilling work life.
Skills Over Pedigree
Forget the days when you just needed a fancy degree to get a good job! As Gartner notes, the "paper ceiling" has crumbled. It rightly identifies that traditional qualifications such as graduate degrees are becoming less definitive in securing jobs.
Companies are now looking more at your skills than your education. This skills-first approach means organizations still care about what you can do.
When it comes to discussing the future of work, forget about experience being the only way to get ahead. Companies will value your skills more than how long you've been doing the job. So don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and develop your skill set!
Learning On Your Terms With EdTech Platforms
As AI advances, many jobs are at risk of automation. This includes tasks in customer service, reception, accounting, sales, research, warehousing, insurance and retail.
On the other hand, professions requiring human connection, creativity or complex judgment, like teachers, business analysts, lawyers, leaders, HR specialists, mental health professionals, surgeons and those in creative fields, are likely to see less impact from AI.
We all know that technology will keep changing, but it's tough to keep your skills up to speed. AI can constantly learn and improve, but schools and training programs take ages to catch up.
Most importantly, there is a yawning gap between what employers need and what professionals can deliver.
A Gallup study revealed a surprising trend. Despite anxieties about AI, nearly half (48%) of workers would consider switching jobs for opportunities to develop new skills. This suggests employees welcome development opportunities, even if it means changing careers.
Hence, we need to constantly learn new things throughout our careers to keep pace with this fast-changing world. This is where EdTech platforms, offering genuine certification courses in the fields of data analysis, project management and business analysis, can help.
On a personal note, as a tech career coach poised to play a critical role in driving organizational success, I believe that expertise in leveraging data to generate valuable insights will be increasingly sought after.
This alone will help ensure you're prepared for real-world challenges.
Partner With A Career Coach
A report by Goldman Sachs predicts widespread automation. AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. Therefore, becoming an architect of your career in the age of GenAI may seem like an uphill task.
In the words of Shakespeare's Hamlet, "We know what we are but know not what we may be."
It is much smarter to build your well before you’re thirsty. A coach can give you a process to follow and help you dig deep to find your strengths when all the reservoirs of strength may appear depleted.
Hiring a career coach earlier in your career can accelerate your path to leadership roles. The right one will nudge you to develop critical skills for career progression in the age of GenAI.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it is safe to say that no one knows how the AI revolution will unfold and to what extent it will govern our lives. A great place to start is to upskill and reskill yourself. A career coach and EdTech platforms can help you secure your position in the world. Moreover, you can bridge the gap between your earnings and learning.
It's time to take the blinkers off and think of AI as a job shake-up rather than a disastrous quake.
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