I was recently asked to serve on a panel to discuss early childhood education and how it impacts the Greater Gainesville community. My role was to talk about the future of work and how we can prepare our kids today for the sort of careers they might have in the year 2036.
When it was my turn, I began with this comment:
“We are attempting to educate our children today for jobs that don’t yet exist on technology that has not been invented.”
For example, do you realize that most kids under the age of 6 today will never drive a car, never have a driver’s license and never have to take a driver’s test? For some parents, that probably gives them a sigh of relief, but it is also a stark reminder of just how different things will be only a few years from now. So, what do we know for sure about the work world many of our children will inhabit 20 years from today?
• Our lives and jobs will be vastly different because of the incredible advancement of technology.
• The retirement age will be much older, as scientists estimate that children born this year will likely live to be more than 120 years old.
• Many jobs that exist today will be replaced by algorithms and robots, and those that remain will require the ability to work intimately with advanced machines and artificial intelligence.
• The working world, along with the entire world, will be much more interconnected and interdependent.
• A good career with a high-paying job is going to require a different skill set and level of competence that many workers today do not possess.
Experts predict that by 2036, at least 11 million jobs will be replaced by computers and robots. Here are several careers that have a greater than 90 percent chance of being replaced by technology:
• Bank teller and loan officer
• Radiologist and anesthesiologist
• Real estate agent
• Financial analyst
• Paralegal and legal assistant
• Technical writer
• Accountant and auditor
• Retail sales, receptionist and information clerk
• Bar tender and fast food cook
• Data entry
• Truck driver, delivery person and taxi driver
• Security guard
• Pilot
So, what skills will be necessary to succeed in this new world of work? Here’s a partial list of what I believe are just a few of the most important areas of focus.
EQ – otherwise known as emotional quotient or emotional intelligence. As machines and computers take over a lot of jobs, one of the only things they can’t replace is the ability to connect with and show compassion for other people. These are uniquely human traits that will become more and more valuable in the future.
Learning Agility – the ability to learn new things at a fast pace. Workers of the future are going to have to be dedicated to lifelong learning, with a willingness — no…a strong desire — to study multiple disciplines in order to stay relevant. They will also have to be comfortable with a work world filled with constant change and ever-increasing complexity.
Interpersonal Communication – Interestingly, as technology becomes more ubiquitous and we are overwhelmed with email, social media and other communication tools, superb interpersonal communication skills will become significantly more important for success. Again, this is one of the only things that computers and robots can’t replace.
Global View – The work world of 2036 will be completely global and highly diverse, so it will be essential that workers have an understanding and appreciation for other cultures. I believe that 20 years from today, people will relate much more to being “global citizens” rather than just citizens of their home countries.
Creativity + Critical Thinking – Being curious, creative and innovative will be fundamental to career success, as long as it is married to solid critical thinking skills that can be used to determine which ideas are the best and of the most real value.
Although challenging, everything I’ve listed above can be taught. Unfortunately, at this point in time, youth are not being focused on these skills, and that concerns me a great deal. It concerns me because people who do not possess the skills I have outlined will find themselves basically unemployable. It is my opinion that in the work world of 2036, you will either be a highly skilled, innovative, and agile worker — or you will have no work at all.
JOHN SPENCE has been recognized as one of the top 100 business thought leaders and as one of the top 500 leadership development experts in the world. He is an international keynote speaker and management consultant and has written five books on business and life success. www.johnspence.com