Welcoming New Year Brings Fresh Opportunities for Career Change (Literally Fresher New Start!)
The world is revolving at an unprecedented pace, altering work dynamics in various ways, some of which we're still trying to comprehend fully. The advancements in technology are even influencing the creators of these advancements themselves. As a 2023 article in Harvard Business Review stated, "The average lifespan of skills is now less than five years, and in some tech fields, it's as low as two and a half years." This rapid change was already evident before the surge in Generative AI and its impact on aspects such as energy consumption and AI-human collaboration this year.
While certain sectors might be experiencing role contraction, such as "Will Self-Driving Cars Replace Uber?", the saying, "change is opportunity" remains a beacon of hope. Technological advancements, globalization, automation, and demographic shifts are coalescing to form all-new industries, and a multitude of job opportunities within existing sectors. Given the current climate, it's more crucial than ever to stay abreast of new opportunities, as many of the most intriguing career prospects likely did not exist the last time you were job hunting, or even just a few years ago. In fact, a recent Glassdoor report revealed that nearly two-thirds of professionals found themselves feeling "stuck" in their current roles. Embracing a novel challenge could be the key to escaping this rut or warding off burnout and malaise.
Fortunately, the present moment is ripe for seizing these opportunities. New roles are springing up in various sectors and across companies of all sizes. Three primary categories of job growth are climate change/clean energy, healthcare/social services, and technology. Regardless of your interests and abilities, it's highly likely that your contributions are needed in today's and tomorrow's workforce. Here are some areas to focus on:
Empower the World (Or Your Local Area) to Achieve Net Zero
With climate change and extreme weather incidents becoming increasingly worrisome, working to minimize the damage and potentially reverse it can serve as a source of motivation every day. Not only is climate change an undeniable reality, but so is the surge in job opportunities to tackle it. Take, for instance, environmental engineering and urban planning, fields that are experiencing unprecedented demand as cities and nations race against time to safeguard citizens and enhance infrastructure.
Positions predicted to experience growth include environmental science and protection technicians, environmental data analysts, and environmental emergency planners. Unity Environmental University in the U.S. even offers degrees to satisfy this burgeoning demand for these new roles. Even professionals without a background in science can contribute by lending their skills in fields like communications, graphic design, and sales. These skills are valuable in industries, nonprofits, and governments. For instance, the City of Santa Monica hired a team of authors and a nonprofit to develop a five-year plan to combat beach erosion, as noted in a city report. If you're feeling bored in your current communications role, the fight against climate change could be an exhilarating alternative, especially if you're drawn to supporting vulnerable communities, as this role often does.
The urgency around climate change has led to the emergence of a fresh corporate role: ESG controller. With increasing numbers of large and mid-size companies reporting on their sustainability initiatives, the scrutiny of these reports has become a burgeoning responsibility. This trend is particularly noticeable among smaller firms, as the Governance and Accountability Institute (GSA) reported last month. An ESG controller oversees sustainability reporting and the data streams that sustain it. While there may be some rollback of ESG and climate regulations under the incoming U.S. federal administration, the demand for ESG controller roles is unlikely to wane, as multinational and domestic corporations will still be required to comply with EU and California regulations.
Elderly Population = New Job Prospects
The global population is aging at an unprecedented pace, forcing countries and companies to adapt to new demands this demographic shift creates. For instance, language should be carefully chosen in marketing to avoid stigmatizing an individual as "old," as this New York Times article about Nike's CruzrOne sneaker, designed for elderly people in need of comfort, explains. By 2030, one in five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older, and approximately half-a-million will likely reach centenarian status within 30 years, according to Pew Research Center. In Australia, the number of people aged 65 and above has more than doubled since the early 1970s. As people live longer, healthier lives, there's a significant need for tailored products and services catering to their unique needs.
Our aging population is escalating the need for healthcare and social assistance workers, a sector that Job and Skills Australia has identified as experiencing the most growth. The role of an NDIS coordinator, who helps Australians comprehend and utilize the National Disability Health Scheme, is one such position. Job vacancies for NDIS coordinators doubled between 2018 and 2022. Other burgeoning healthcare-related professions, as per the JAS report, include palliative care doctors and nurses, community mental health and aging-related mental health support social workers, clinical researchers, clinical trial coordinators, health informaticians, home support assessors, and genetic counselors. In the United States, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living anticipates the need for approximately 6 million additional eldercare workers by 2050, including nurses, nurse aides, home health aides, and personal care workers.
Individuals transitioning from non-healthcare careers are also discovering new opportunities to serve the elderly. After her father-in-law was diagnosed with dementia, former tech worker Alison Harrington witnessed the difficulties faced by caregivers and older adults. She observed that he "came alive" whenever he listened to his favorite old song. This insight inspired her to establish a company offering personalized music, videos, and podcasts to the elderly, employing silent disco technology and leveraging her tech expertise. As stated on the website of Resparke, the company she founded and now leads, "We have now trained thousands of staff and supported hundreds of homes across Australia and NZ. We know from the numerous stories that most importantly, thousands of residents have experienced the same joyous moment I shared with my father-in-law over 8 years ago."
The demand for musical therapists in Australia has also witnessed substantial growth. In a role where, as reported by ABC news, you will "plan and deliver music therapy interventions to improve physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral skills and function," job postings increased nearly fourfold between 2018 and 2022. Engaging older adults and promoting their health involves activity coordinators, arts and culture programmers, home modification professionals, and suppliers of age-friendly products.
The Future Belongs to Those Who Embrace Change
While the half-life of tech skills might suggest that "prompt engineer" is an outdated profession, demand for AI engineers remains high. In Australia, the number of job postings for this role quadrupled between 2018 and 2022. If you have a passion for technology and are open to continuous learning, AI could be your new calling. As this guide from ComputerScience.org explains, major companies across various industries are embracing AI, including Facebook, Amazon, NASA, Tesla, and EZRA. The range of positions in AI is expanding as it is increasingly integrated into various products and services, such as self-driving cars, counter-terrorism efforts, medicine, and consumer goods.
Another technologically focused career option you may not have considered in high school is that of a drone operator. Drones can be utilized for numerous purposes, from national security to promoting travel destinations. As an article on Indeed explains, becoming a commercial drone operator or pilot requires passing the necessary FAA exam, which, depending on your preparation, can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Potential employers include real estate firms, entertainment companies, construction businesses, and marketing agencies.
Educate Yourself, Elevate Yourself
The rapid pace of technological change presents exciting opportunities for individuals at all stages of their careers. Many companies are establishing departments or programs to help employees acquire new skills, as outlined in a HBR article authored by professionals from the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard’s Digital Reskilling Lab and the BCG Henderson Institute.
If your company does not offer such resources, you can take initiatives to upskill or reskill yourself. ComputerScience.org provides a comprehensive list of tech education options and resources for anyone aiming to enter or advance in the field. For instance, many universities and private companies offer specialized courses, such as a 12-week applied data science program, focused on enhancing your understanding of AI and taught by MIT faculty. Regardless of your current position, embracing today’s rapid pace of change and seeking new means to contribute and be challenged is the most effective way to secure your future and happiness.
- The rapid advancements in technology, including Generative AI, are shortening the lifespan of skills, with an average duration of less than five years in certain tech fields.
- Given the current climate, it's crucial for professionals to stay updated on new opportunities, as many career prospects didn't exist during their last job hunt or a few years ago.
- The urgency around climate change has led to the creation of new roles, such as ESG controllers, who oversee sustainability reporting in companies.
- As the global population ages, there's a significant need for tailored products and services catering to the unique needs of the elderly, leading to a surge in job opportunities in healthcare and social assistance.
- Embracing change and continuous learning can open new doors in tech careers, such as becoming an AI engineer or a drone operator, as demand for such roles remains high.
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