How to I ‘future proof’ my job?

Jobs are requiring skills across traditional job categories

While the traditional degrees (e.g. engineering, communications, public policy, international affairs) have stood the test of time, jobs have moved on. Universities are modifying classes and content, but the gap between what companies are requiring and what degrees are producing is expanding. According to a report by McKinsey, Voice of the Graduate, 30-40% of graduates feel unprepared for the workplace, while 39% of employers say graduates have inadequate training.

Part of the reason the ‘jobs gap’ exists is jobs are changing. While job titles are staying the same (e.g. marketing associate) the fundamental tools and activities are requiring mastery of programs and an understanding of technology — the marketing associate of yesterday that wrote press releases is managing digital advertising campaigns across Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Adwords. Jobs are becoming more ‘hybrid’ and requiring skills across multiple categories that span across traditional ‘majors’.

Bentley University recently conducted a report on how to “Future proof your career” They found key roles in social media, data analysis, and SQL are in top demand, but also non-technical skills in sales, mentoring, collaboration, and business development. But it is not enough to choose a technical or non-technical path, jobs are requiring skills from both areas.

71% of jobs require skills across multiple job categories

According to the Bentley University Future-Proof Your Career report.

Striving in a successful career today requires both technical and non-technical skills, but above all requires adaptability. To help learners continue to be adaptable is part of the motivation behind why we launched our startup Caila. Today, the job market is changing so fast that employees cannot afford to leave the workplace to re-train for 2–4 years at a time. We are creating a place where people can take individual courses, across programs and universities, as people can afford them and as it fits with learners schedules and careers.

As the job market of the future continuously evolves, we look forward to helping people train and re-train to be the ultimate hybrid learners, thriving in the workplace.

By Sergio Marrero

Co-Founder, Caila