#YoungPeople #graduations #flexibility #CareerChanges #jobs #economy #technology
Decades ago, when a young person heading into adulthood did not know what he or she was going to do for a living, perhaps that person took a trip to “find himself (or herself).”
Adults, perhaps his or her parents or parents of the person he or she was dating, may have scoffed that the kid “had no direction.” (They often secretly assumed the kid had no ambition).
But in today’s new world, “having no direction” will not only be common among young people, it may be an advantage.
The job market of the future is uncertain. AI and other technology will make once necessary jobs obsolete.
It likely will create other types of jobs, many of which we don’t know about yet.
The question then becomes: how does one prepare for such uncertainty?
The one thing any young person can do, if it does not come naturally, is to become flexible.
One becomes flexible by presuming he or she will change careers multiple times.
It’s been said that corporations are people, too. Corporations must be flexible to survive changes they may not yet know are coming. People must do the same thing.
When pursuing education, study something you love, without regard for how it will apply in the job market. This isn’t to say that a person should spend a small fortune – God forbid going into debt – on an education that will be “useless” for employment.
But, today, no matter what a person is educated to do, it may not be what the person will do for a living.
If one hears a graduation speech that advises one to “find his or her passion,” it may good advice in these times. Passion didn’t always pay bills, but with uncertainty, the student presumably gets some enjoyment by finding his or her passion.
Along with flexibility, a person will also have to be bold. He or she may have to try things he or she had never thought he or she would do. Boldness, combined with hard work, often leads to innovation. He or she may have to keep reinventing a working persona throughout life.
Finally, the old advice of “find something and stick with it” may no longer apply. Certainly, if something works you should stick with it, as “Cora” said in the old coffee commercial. But, if you can see that what you are doing is going to change, or go away, you need to look for something else before the change arrives. If you can anticipate change from where you sit, your employer will eventually see it, too.
Keep learning new skills. As a young person with an entire life ahead, constant learning will not only be desirable, but mandatory.
So, as one embarks on adulthood, the world you see today will likely not be the same as what you will see throughout your life.
Analyze the cost of any job. Will the cost of commuting etc. be worth the paycheck you get?
Prepare, but don’t have your heart set on one thing. Don’t be afraid, though uncertainly may try to overwhelm you. And, always be ready for change, because change will be a constant.
By whatever means necessary, be optimistic. Pessimism will feed on itself, but optimism always provides an appetite for new adventure.
Truly, if you are young, have a nice life.
Peter