We know that the jobs of the future will look very different to today. With technological advances and changes to work demographics and in-demand skills, the world of work could look very different in the next ten or twenty years.
However, you don’t just need to know what the jobs the future might be: you need to prepare for them. But how can you anticipate and prepare for such a different work environment?
The answer is up-skilling. These five courses will provide you with in-demand skills so you can boost your career and prepare for the future.
How the world of work will change
According to research from McKinsey, the transition to a new world of work in the next ten years could be as challenging as previous transitions out of agriculture and into manufacturing. Their report says that automation will be one of the most important changes to the future world of work.
Elsewhere, though, the skills that are in demand will shift. This will happen at different rates around the world, but in general, there will be a higher demand for some practical jobs. This includes energy and infrastructure workers, IT professionals, and high-level managers.
Under McKinsey’s projections, 75 million to 375 million workers may need to learn new skills or switch occupations entirely at the current rate. So, it’s best to start early to prepare for the jobs of the future.
What are the digital jobs of the future?
Even over the last ten years, there has been a dramatic shift in the types of digital jobs that are available. Would we have thought that the role of TikTok Manager would exist in 2010?
In the future, digital jobs will be even more advanced and focus on areas of tech that may not even exist yet. For example, there may be a demand for autonomous car specialists, B2R2C marketing managers (that is, business-to-robot-to-consumer), and augmented reality designers.
In reality, though, very few people will end up working in these roles. Some of the more common and in-demand digital jobs of the future may include:
- Ethical hacker
- Coder
- Blockchain developer
- Big data analyst
- Data inspector
5 Courses you should take now
By knowing the digital jobs of the future, you can have a better idea of which courses may supply you with those same skills today. The good news is, while the future may still be far away, these courses are available today to help you upskill.
Social Media Manager
According to LinkedIn, there’s been a 1357% increase in social media jobs advertised on the site since 2010. As Generation Z turn to social media to socialise, shop, learn and create, there will only be more demand for skilled social media managers.
Social media management skills may be taught on a marketing degree, but there are also plenty of online courses to choose from. For example, LinkedIn Learning offer courses free to Premium users that cover aspects of social media management – so you don’t necessarily have to get a degree to learn about this all-important topic.
Management
While many jobs are set to disappear in favour of automation, management isn’t one of them. Instead, senior managers are set to become more important as they will guide organisations through the many workplace changes in the future.
If you don’t have the time or money available to do an MBA (Master of Business Administration), there are plenty of other options. You could take a short management course, or complete a one-year Masters in Management in order to boost your leadership skills.
Data Analysis
Data is now a defining feature of the work environment, no matter what industry you work in. In 2020, LinkedIn ranked the role of a data scientist at number 3 in the US and number 7 in the UK on their Emerging Job Report. As technology grows and companies process new information, this role will become even more important.
While data analysis is already an important part of MBA degrees, you can also choose to study this subject in-depth on a Master in Data Analytics. Some marketing analytics courses will also feature modules specific to data analysis.
Coding
It may have become cliche to say, but coding really is the future of the workforce. As companies spend more on IT and e-commerce, specialist coders will be crucial to implementing digital changes at companies. Additionally, more jobs than ever now require some coding skills; for example, graphic designers and business analysts.
There are many short courses available in popular coding languages like Python, UML and PHP. These are mainly offered as self-paced online courses on sites like Coursera and SkillShare. However, if you want to develop your skills further, you might also consider a computer science degree.
Fintech
The adoption of fintech services around the world grew from 16% in 2015 to 64% in 2019 – and it will only become more important. This technology allows people around the world to take control of their finances and is also key to the development of innovations like blockchain, which have additional uses.
Universities are now also realising the value of teaching fintech. Oxford University now offers a dedicated fintech course that takes place over six weeks. Other platforms like Coursera and edX offers courses in fintech, giving an in-depth look at this crucial area of finance.
Conclusion
We can’t predict exactly what the digital jobs of the future will look like. However, these five courses will prepare you with some of the skills that we’re sure will be in demand.
If you’re thinking about applying to a business school to upskill and prepare for the jobs of the future, check out our article on criteria to help you choose the right business school.
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