Professions of the future
We participated in an interesting conversation about the professions of the future Vicente Ferrero, (Academic Director of Esic Aragón) and Alberto López, (CEO of Wanatop), Juan Martinez de Salinas and myself.
Very interesting ideas and reflections emerged in this debate and I would like to share some of them in today’s post on the professions of the future.
Debate on the professions of the future: the jobs of the future
How can the changes we are currently experiencing in society affect the future labor market?
In Vicente’s opinion, the way in which people access information has changed. We have
As discussed in the debate, the priorities in our scales of values and the concept of the relationship we want to maintain with work have also changed, affecting, for example, the reconciliation of personal and professional life.
Let’s not just think about the fact that professions are going to disappear in the near future. Let’s think above all that new ones are going to be generated and we will have to be in a position to face that challenge or to generate our own work, Vicente Ferrero.
The idea arises that, fortunately, this transition is not going to be immediate, but that there will be a period of adaptation, of a few years, in which we will be able to prepare for this change, especially that which has to do with the technologies and professions that are going to disappear, (or those that are going to appear new) in the near future.
What are the skills and values that we will need to keep more in mind in order to better adapt to these “professions of the future”?
• Attention span: now the trend is for information to reach us through technology and online networks in an increasingly visual way. We receive a lot of input, and our attention on the same impact is focused for less time.
• Search and analysis of information: We do not need to have such a developed memory, (as it could happen years ago), since we can access a large volume of information through our devices, the information is in the palm of our hand. Access to information is different, however, it is necessary to know how to search for the information that is needed efficiently.
• Ability to work in a team: in today’s environments it is necessary to develop the flexibility to work in changing and uncertain environments, and also in globalized environments, with people from different countries, cultures, races, etc. Also to adapt and be able to work with people of different ages, experiences and diverse conditions. It is important to understand diversity as a source of synergies and opportunities.
More skills in the professions of the future
• Communication skills: we are not only talking about the fact that it is very valuable that we can communicate effectively by different means, but also with people of other languages and that we develop the necessary empathy to understand and be understood by people from other countries and cultures.
• Resilience: the talent of facing situations that do not go as we want to with a positive attitude, extracting learning from mistakes and standing firm in the face of adversity is another of the skills that are increasingly in demand, especially in the current VUCA environment (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous).
We have to realise that not only are technical skills important to be prepared for the future, but we will also have to develop the personal skills that are increasingly in demand, Alberto López.
Emerging professions of the future: conclusion
In my opinion, as has emerged in the debate, it is interesting to decide whether we want to take a proactive stance in the face of these imminent changes that the future labour market has in store for us. Far from being scared, it is interesting that we start thinking about where we want to go and how we can best adapt to these changes. Continuous learning and the concern to continue developing and improving is something that will help us throughout our lives, it is never too late to continue learning, therefore, let’s take this challenge as a challenge to continue evolving and thus we can be better prepared for new future scenarios.
And you How do you decide to prepare for the future job market? Are you one of the professionals of the future?
Remember that sharing our ideas and opinions makes us open up to new perspectives and develop our talent.
