he most valuable person in a company is the person who wants to learn! This is why reskilling and upskilling are the only ways to future-proof our careers in 2024.
“What will my job be like in five years? Will I work in the same industry? Will my job even exist in ten years?” Most of us have asked ourselves all of these questions at some point in our professional lives. The reality is that we live in an uncertain world.
The 2008 financial crisis, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the technological advances, and even the current layoff trend have hugely impacted the economic situation. This is especially true in the technology industry, where a new wave of layoffs has begun in 2024. We’ve already seen the latest Amazon layoffs, but other companies like Google are following suit, with over 34,000 people losing their jobs.
All of these only prove that we never know what future jobs will hold. We never know when our job might become irrelevant overnight. What we know right now is that it is, indeed, changing. The only way to do that is to be prepared.
Reskilling and upskilling will ensure you won’t fall behind with the ever-changing industries.
What is Upskilling and What is Reskilling?
Upskilling is the process of learning new skills in your job or improving existing ones to adapt to changes in the workplace, industry, or technology and eventually advance in your career. On the other hand, reskilling refers to learning different skills unrelated to your current position to transition into another role or industry.
Change is inevitable, but how we handle it is in our hands. And the most crucial step to future-proofing our careers is to want to grow – to upskill and reskill. The employees who are adaptable and willing to learn are more likely to succeed than those who, well… aren’t. But this mindset will set the course of your career – even if your job might soon be automated.
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Avoid Predictability!
One of the worries most people have is due to technological advancements. The ChatGPT’s release to the public opened the world to a new wave of possibilities and uncertainties. Artificial intelligence is no longer limited to analyzing data and introducing numbers into a document. It can also create articles and professional designs that could put the jobs of many journalists, marketers, and possibly even UI/UX designers in danger.
Yes, everyone can be replaceable. But it’s important to remember one thing: AI is only a prediction solution. What matters is how we personalize it. It’s not enough to do the bare minimum – because this is what AI also does. And if we deploy these tools without adding our input, we end up sounding like an AI as well. In a world where everyone seems to be turning to artificial intelligence, our ability to innovate, think creatively, and adapt represents exactly the mindset of reskilling and upskilling.
Reskilling and Upskilling are More Than Just Developing Your Technical Skills
Yes, technical skills are essential for our jobs. However, employers will always choose people who want to be more than just their skills. These people are leaders, innovators, great communicators, and, well, they are just fun to be around. These qualities will set you apart from others with similar technical skills.
Even more so, in any industry, one aspect is just as important as our skills: knowing the right people. Having a personal brand and a professional network is how to future-proof your career. These connections open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable support, guidance, and collaboration along our career journey. But learning how to network is also a skill – so if you’re still struggling, it’s time to upskill.
The secret to upskilling and reskilling is always to keep an open mind. Look for new opportunities, stay proactive, and be committed to personally and professionally growing. This is how you future-proof your career and adapt to future jobs!
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