05 Feb

Evgeny Chereshnev claims to be the world's first professional cyborg, having implanted an NFC Biochip in his hand. A Near-Field Communication chip (NFC chip ) enables short-range, wireless communication between two devices. It can be used for many digital transactions such as opening door locks, starting cars, attendance, location tracking, storing health data and much more 

While Evgeny makes a premature case for humans fusing with technology, there is no doubt that humans and technology are coming closer to creating unimagined careers. Technology is changing the workforce and the workplace. It is disrupting traditional industries and creating new ones. There are dozens of brand-new careers and millions of jobs emerging in drone technology, gaming, multiverse, crypto, green tech, biotech, and more. Further, the definition of employment and work are themselves in question, with gigs, freelance, work from home, and multiple jobs being some examples.

And so, to stay ahead of the curve, it's essential to consider what the workplaces and careers of the future might look like. It’s not surprising that people are worried about their careers and the need to be future-ready is of great importance.  

So, what does it mean to have a future-ready career? Is it about being able to code or build complex biotech systems? It is much more than cool terminology or jargon. Let’s look at what a future-ready career looks like and some tips on how to make your career future-proof.

Workplaces and careers of the future

In his celebrated essay of  1932 called “Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren,” the father of modern macroeconomics, John Maynard Keynes accurately predicted that 100 years into the future, technology could render people unemployed. In his words, ”We are being afflicted with a new disease of which some readers may not yet have heard the name, but of which they will hear a great deal in the years to come—namely, technological unemployment. This means unemployment due to our discovery of means of economising the use of labour outrunning the pace at which we can find new uses for labour”.

As we see from Keynes’s prediction a century ago, the idea of disrupted future workplaces clearly is not a new one. There are a number of factors that continuously shape workplaces and impact careers of the future. Today the increasing use of artificial intelligence and robotics is one trend that is likely to have a big impact. Another is the ongoing shift from traditional manufacturing to a more service-based economy as well as the rise of the gig economy and the growth of the sharing economy.

How can you become future-ready?

With the rapid pace of technological advancement and automation, many traditional jobs are at risk of becoming obsolete or being replaced by technology. In order to stay competitive in the job market, individuals need to acquire skills that are in demand and likely to remain in demand in the future. These skills are essential for individuals to be able to navigate the rapidly changing job market and take advantage of emerging opportunities.When it comes to your career, being future-ready means having these skills and abilities that will be in demand in the years to come. 

Here are four habits to adopt to make sure your career is future-ready:

1. Be proactive- Extensive research (Seibert, Kraimer and Crant ,2001)  shows that having a proactive personality relates to career progression and satisfaction, Proactive professionals were seen to be more innovative and took greater initiatives to plan their careers. 
2. Do it now-   To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, the future depends on what we do in the present. The world is constantly changing and your career should too. Stay up to date with technology and trends. This means keeping your skills sharp and learning new skills occasionally to stay relevant. Technology is drastically changing the way we work, so you need to be prepared for a tech-driven future. 
3. Be patient and resilient. Change doesn't happen overnight, so don't give up on your goals just because you hit a few bumps in the road.
4. Have a growth mindset. Be willing to continue learning and advancing your career even when things get tough. Globalisation is increasing competition for jobs, so you need to be able to stand out from the crowd.
5. Be flexible and adaptable. The world is constantly changing, so being able to change with it will be essential in any future-proof career. Employers are looking for well-rounded candidates who are adaptable and have a growth mindset – being future-ready shows that you have what it takes.

What to look for in the workplace of the future

Is it only employees who are expected to change with the advancement of technology? Employers need to be equally prepared to work with a nuanced workforce. When considering a future-ready career, it is important for employees to see that their employer’s views and goals align with theirs. 

Here are a few key things to look for in a future-ready workplace: 

First and foremost, you'll want to find an organisation with a clear vision for the future. This will help ensure that your career is on a growth trajectory and not stagnant. 

Secondly, you'll want to identify an organisation that is invested in its employees' development. A good way to gauge this is to see if the company offers continuing education opportunities or professional development programs. 

Finally, you'll want to make sure that the company you're considering has a strong culture of innovation. This can be evidenced by things like a commitment to research and development, or support for employees pursuing new ideas. 

In conclusion, future-ready careers are those that will provide long-term employability and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing job market. There are many ways to prepare for a future-ready career — staying up-to-date with industry trends and developments, networking and building a strong professional network, and finally, being open to learning new skills and keeping your skills up-to-date will help you be ready for whatever changes come your way.

Being able to figure this out is the biggest challenge for today's working professionals.Now if all this makes you excited about the future, here are some interesting futuristic careers that Evgeny imagines: 21 jobs of the future | Kaspersky official blog

Also read: Secret to future-ready careers: Founder’s note