Skills for the 21st Century Economy
With a looming recession in the news, you might be wondering: Will I be able to get a job after college? Or, if you are already working, will I loose my job in this economy? Well, you probably better start thinking about what skills you’ll need for the 21st Century.
While the recession has been disastrous for some industries, the technology industry is still booming. All this new technology is fundamentally changing the way that businesses operate. More than ordinary workers, the 21st century economy needs well-rounded, analytical thinkers. As the manufacturing economy shrinks in the U.S., new positions are created that require advanced critical thinking and highly creative approaches to problem-solving.
Over the long run, the more advanced your “Creative Class” skills, the more recession-proof your career will be. As Business 2.0 magazine stated, “Creative-class workers aren’t exempt from the economy’s ups and downs, of course, but they tend to be prime beneficiaries of the ups.”
Are you a new student?
If you are a high school student or have recently gone back to school, you should start thinking of majors and classes that can give you a competitive edge in this new economy. Regardless of your major, its important to graduate with a balance of technology and critical thinking skills.
Already working?
Although you may feel reasonably secure in your current job, you can’t ignore the reality that more jobs (including white-collar jobs) are being outsourced every day. That trend will only get stronger in a recession. The best jobs that remain will require a high degree of analysis and specialized knowledge.
If the pending recession and these new economic realities make you nervous, there’s probably no better way to sharpen those skills than by going back to college.
Part time or full time?
Of course, going back to school full time will get your degree (and the training in critical thinking that comes with it) into your hands that much more quickly.
But don’t assume you can’t benefit if full-time school isn’t in the cards right now. Pursuing coursework part-time can start to improve your analytical skills right away. Even taking one course at a time will provide a mental challenge that will spur you to think about work in new ways. And even if your employer doesn’t subsidize your tuition (and many do), they’ll be impressed by your commitment to improve your professionalism and your value to the company.
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