Unexpected Developments
Various fields that were seen as very stable have been decaying fast. Accounting is a common example – many professionals in this field have been shifting more and more of their work to computers and automated systems in general, and have been doing less themselves.
The job is largely about understanding the finer areas of the field right now, and knowing how the different laws that regulate it work. That’s not to say that accountants as a whole are useless – and they likely won’t be anytime soon. But it’s hard to ignore how the responsibilities of the field have shifted, and the same is valid for many other areas of work. In general, menial tasks have been getting pushed out at a strong pace.
Other fields that have been hit hard by automation include:
• Factory work
• Driving
• Analytics
• Security
Important Trends to Follow
Those who’re just entering the workforce and are looking to direct their attention in a viable direction have a few important things to watch out for. The prevalence of automation is very obvious, and it’s a good field to get into if one has the technical aptitude to do the kind of work required. It’s not just about programming and hardware development either.
Deep knowledge in statistics can also be beneficial to those who want to work in automation and related fields, and certain degree paths can also be very viable today. Careers in business management can be very lucrative when working in automation as well, as some companies have managed to base their entire business model on this kind of work, and it needs to be organized by someone experienced and with the right knowledge.
Aston University has compiled a list of the best careers in business management, and some of them include:
• Data Scientist
• Software Engineer
• Solutions Architect
• HR Manager
How to Stay Secure
Thinking two steps ahead is more important than ever, and those who want to maximize their potential over the next decades need to know how to build good habits about their job security. For example, following your dreams and most active interests may seem like an attractive option, but it’s also something that can be a huge gamble in many fields.
If you’re lucky enough to be aligned with the demands of the most prominent job fields of today, like technology, medicine, law and other fields in similarly high demand, you might have an easy time following up on those interests. But for others, those things are best left as side hobbies without any serious expectations for extra income.
Exploring New Opportunities
Speaking of extra income, another factor that you will need to adapt to is the growing prominence of side jobs and personal business ventures. It used to be something completely optional, associated with those with a stronger drive to maximize their free time and use it to its full potential. But these days, if you want to ensure that you keep your position stable, the best way is to always be on the lookout for new opportunities and try setting up some side gigs from time to time.
You never know when you might run into something new that’s still relatively fresh and unexplored, and even if it only lasts for a few years, with a smart approach, you should be able to save a lot for the future.
There are lots of lucrative ideas floating around at any time. Currently, some attractive options include:
• Dropshipping• Freelancing
• Flipping
• Teaching
• Testing
As long as you can see yourself doing that kind of work remotely, then there is probably an opportunity for that.
Utilizing Your Freedom of Movement
Don’t forget that you can move around relatively easily these days as well. This is not to be underestimated when your goal is to maximize your earning potential, as certain jobs can be much more lucrative in some parts of the world than others. Sure, it’s not always possible to just pick up and shift your entire life somewhere else. But when you do have the opportunity, it’s definitely something you should not underestimate. Worst case scenario, you’ll at least pick up some new skills that you can transition back home and use in a creative way.
“Travel. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Learning is Easier Than Ever
Last but not least, another thing always worth keeping in mind is that you have a great opportunity to learn new things and expand your potential in different ways if you use the tools available to you to their full potential. This is not just about the traditional paths like a college degree either – even though those should not be underestimated. But with the help of the internet and related technologies, you can easily expand your range of knowledge in multiple ways without even having to invest too much of your time into it.
Just keep in mind that with this great availability of information out there, you can also face the problem of not always knowing what you can trust. You need to develop a critical approach to the things you read online and remember that not all of it may be written with your best interests in mind. This kind of attitude will prove helpful in life in general though, so it’s never a bad idea to start thinking in this manner.
All in all, you need to have a completely different approach to this to ensure that you will stay relevant, compared to what people needed to do some decades before you. Stability is out of the window at this point, and many people find themselves jumping between opportunities until they’ve found something that they can rely on for a good while. Focus on a good degree and ensure that you’re prepared to meet the challenges that will come up in the near future, and the rest will fall into place.