The future works differently
Living in an era of rapid change impacts our lives in countless ways and is likely to continue for years to come. This decade has demanded resilience in the face of the many technological, social, economic and health challenges that have touched our lives – so how can we best prepare for more uncertainty? UofG Careers & Employability Manager Katrina Gardner offers expert advice.
We are in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, aka ‘Industry 4.0’, leading us further into a high-skill economy. Coupled with a declining population, the current outlook is that while many jobs can be replaced by automation, there will be a shortage of higher skills. The good news is that this means a global increase in a range of professional-level jobs appealing to Glasgow alumni across our many disciplines – not just in those obvious tech roles such as computing, data science and engineering, but also in education, health, business and other sectors. According to The Jobs of the Future report (Universities UK), a predicted 11 million+ new graduate roles in the UK will need to be filled by 2035, in addition to the current graduate workforce.
A whole new skillset
Whatever career paths you are exploring, the impact of technological change necessitates a very different skillset compared to pre-'Industry 4.0'. Entry into and continued progression in all highly skilled careers will require a very fluid set of modern professional skills requirements – future skills, as we describe them here at UofG. These can be tracked in the regularly updated Future of Jobs Report (World Economic Forum).
"See yourself as an agent of change – embrace adaptability and cultivate a resilient approach.”
You will likely make many transitions in your career, including opportunities that you embrace willingly but also others imposed on you such as when jobs come to an end. It’s OK to take time to grieve the end of a career stage before moving on to your next one. And you may find career transitions easier if your self-identity is not tied too much to your jobs. This could be easier to achieve if you look to work within a Skills Based Organisation (SBO).
Expertise for the future
Adopting a future focus to mitigate higher skills shortages has led to numerous employers reinventing themselves as SBOs, with a more fluid focus on skills rather than the traditional role-based approach. For organisations, this can stimulate growth and innovation as well as offering diversity and equity, and a positive workforce experience for employees. According to a Deloitte report, one of the key principles of the SBO is that it should 'liberate work and workers from the confines of the job'.
A 2024 ISE Report defines skills as encompassing 'attributes, capabilities, behavioural skills, cognitive skills and technical skills'. A successful SBO should cultivate a strong learning culture in which all employees can continue to update their portfolio of skills, aligning not just to the needs of the SBO but also to their interests, values and motivations.
"Pause now and then at career ‘checkpoints’. What do you really want out of work – and life! – right now?” What does it mean to be an agent of change? It starts with choosing a workplace where you can grow, thrive, and align with a culture that fits you. And in the final analysis, it means staying adaptable and open to the twists and turns of a career that may have surprises – and many destinations.
What’s next?
Here are just some of the jobs that we could be applying for in the upcoming decades.
• AI ethicist – instilling empathy and emotional intelligence into algorithms and systems
• Digital sustainability officer – working to reduce the negative environmental, social and cultural impacts of technology
• Neuro-interface designer – creating hardware and software that allows the brain to interact with and control external devices
• Synthetic experience designer – creating virtual and digital experiences that feel as natural as possible to the user
• Human-AI collaboration coach – providing nuanced emotional support to guide planning and goal setting
“Navigating the world of work post-graduation can feel overwhelming; however, understanding your applicable skills and what you enjoy is important. I have gained experience and knowledge from finding mentors in my field, and aim to keep an open mind to opportunities, be williing to change ways of working, and commit to continued learning in my role.”
Lauren McGee (BSc 2022 in Physics & Astronomy), Data Analyst at Jacobs.