Exploring the Future

The landscape of work is changing - constantly. With so much change at such a rapid pace, there are so many opportunities out there to navigate your way to new and impactful roles. Exploring these possibilities is not only exciting, but it also has the added benefit of future proofing our careers.

We’re all working in jobs that are a product of the time. For example, just 100 years ago, one of the top 10 jobs women occupied was ‘Laundress’. 

(I suspect now it’s more an informal role rather than a paid job for the majority of people!).

Now, many of the jobs we (women) hold - and the careers we pursue - didn’t exist even a decade, let alone a century, ago. 

I can’t say with my hand on my heart that all of these jobs are ‘good’ jobs, in that they make a positive impact on the world - though they may be lucrative to the individuals that hold them. 

But I’m not interested in jobs of the past or present.

I’m interested in roles that might exist in the (near-ish) future - specifically those where personal reward & satisfaction can also deliver societal benefit when it comes to tackling the big issues of our times - Climate Change, Artificial Intelligence, Data Security and Aging Populations. 

I see many roles emerging in these fields, alongside exciting opportunities for women to establish themselves before they’re (erroneously) viewed as male-dominated domains. 

Come with me and explore some of these roles and who among us might be ideally placed to successfully take them on.  

Let’s start by turning our attention to technology, because for all of humanity’s history, technology has been a driver of employment. 

From adding a handle to the axe-head, to the invention of the wheel, the wide-spread access to electricity through to the current rise of AI, new technologies have always affected the jobs available. 

Roles become redundant, others become more important and some completely new ones emerge. 

Here’s just a few technology-focussed roles I see where women have the unique opportunity to make a genuinely positive impact. 

• AI Ethicist:
  AI continues to be integrated into our lives; we need people who can help ensure it’s being used ethically and responsibly.
  This makes it probably one of the most important roles emerging right now, and I believe the volume of the people we need in these roles has been vastly underestimated.
  Taking on the role of AI ethicist, means helping organisations navigate the moral and ethical implications of AI and machine learning in all aspects of their organisation, their products/services and in the interests of their stakeholders.
  While the role is technology related, its core purpose is to develop insightful, useful and practical policies that ensure the responsible use of AI.
  Women with a background in philosophy, law, defence, government or technology and a passion for equity and social responsibility would be especially well-suited for this role.

• Virtual Reality Experience Designer:
  Frankly, I’m not into virtual reality (VR). Give me ‘real’ reality anyday! However, my personal view of VR is irrelevant.
  Because the fact is, VR technology is becoming more advanced and widely available - beyond the stereotypical applications such as gaming.
  With growing use means a growing demand for professional and sensitive design. VR companies will need people who can design high-quality and immersive VR experiences for a range of industries and uses. Whether it’s improving online shopping experiences or supporting medical and psychological care - there’s a range of practical applications that will make use of the right VR technology.
  Women with a background in design or technology, an aptitude for creativity and high capacity for empathy and connecting with potential users, would hit the ground running in this role. 

• Personal Data Broker:
  The rise of digital technology and social media has been predicated on a ‘free use in exchange for data’ business model. We (or more accurately, our data) are the product.
  Now, individuals across all generations are becoming increasingly aware of the value of their personal data, how it’s used and whether they want it to be used.
  This awareness means an emerging, and increasing, need for personal data brokers to act as intermediaries between individuals and companies.
  These brokers will help people (not companies) to monetize and/or protect their personal data. Women with a background in areas such as law, finance, social-media management or data analysis, with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills would have a head-start in this role. 

While technology is a common driver of new fields of employment, it’s not the only driver. 

Changing demographics, societal expectations and understanding of what it means to be human, have also hugely influenced the evolution of the workforce in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Here’s a few of the ‘real world’-focussed roles I see ready to emerge and in which women can thrive. 

• Digital Detox Specialist:
  It’s widely recognised now that digital devices and social media are addictive, and increasing numbers of people are seeking ways to lessen their dependency.
  While a good deal of advice exists in books and other media, there's a growing need for specialists who can identify appropriate ways to reduce digital dependency in people’s personal contexts.
  That’s where digital detox experts come in, to help individuals (and organisations) to strike a balance between digital engagement and real-life interactions.
  This means helping people learn the best way to 'unplug’ - to disconnect from their devices and develop healthier relationships with technology that support better balance with their IRL experiences.
  Women with a background in areas such as psychology, medicine, addiction treatment or nutrition, with strong interpersonal and organisation skills would be well equipped to succeed in this role. 

• Sustainable Living Expert:
  Climate change acceptance is widespread and more people are seeking to live a more environmentally conscious life, or operate a more environmentally conscious business.
  I’m calling the people that can help this happen ‘sustainable living experts’ - and I think demand for this will grow in the coming years.
  A sustainable living expert will advise individuals, households, organisations and communities on how to make more informed choices and changes that reduce their environmental impact while still contributing to a thriving economy.
  I expect there to be variations of this role - from policy experts, to advisors to practical hands-on help.
  Women from industries as diverse as utilities, construction, architecture, policy, urban planning, agriculture could find success in such a role, providing they have a passionate interest in sustainability, strong research skills and an engaging communication style.

• Ageing in Place Specialist:
  Retirement villages and ‘old peoples homes’ are not the preferred destination for many older people; these days, more of us want to stay in our own homes for as long as possible as we age.
  Making this possible for people is the role of the Ageing in Place specialist, who can help older people and their families create safe and comfortable living spaces that are suitable for ageing adults.
  I see this role bringing together new technologies, physical space adaptations, community connections and physical and mental care options in a unique combination for each person and their needs.
  Women who are compassionate, patient and clear communicators with backgrounds in fields such as public health, aged care, project management, technology systems are likely to have what it takes to succeed in this role. 

• Urban Agriculture Specialist:
  As the populations of cities increase, alongside effects of climate change and questions of food security, so too will the interest in growing food close to home. City ‘plots’ aren’t a new concept, though they are rarer than they should be, and more people are looking to urban agriculture to complement traditional regional agriculture.
  This is where the Urban Agriculture Specialist comes in - someone who can help households, communities and organisations (including governments) to create places for successfully growing food in an urban setting.
  This is the ideal role for women with a ‘green-thumb’, who understand the right growing conditions for certain types of crops and are passionate about sustainable food sources. Women with a background in urban planning, ‘traditional’/non-commercial agriculture, soil science, land management, engineering or adult education would bring great experiences and skill sets to this role. Women with practical experience successfully growing their own food would have an inside edge. 

These are just examples of opportunities open to us, as roles that were unimaginable less than a decade ago emerge through industries adapting to technological and societal change. 

Though these, and other possibilities, will emerge it’s difficult to predict with any form of certainty the rate they’ll emerge, or their strength of demand among employers.

However, given the importance of these domains to our collective success as a species, I can see growing interest for everything from AI Ethicist through to Urban Agriculture Specialist. 

And I firmly believe that these roles need women to embrace and explore them - before any male-dominated narratives become calcified - and the world becomes a poorer place for it.

Women can actively shape these fields for both a better future of work and, importantly, the future of our world that we live in, to realise something special and essential - the greater good. 

If you see yourself exploring some of these options for your future, but not sure where to start, reach out and book a chat to discuss whether coaching can help you evolve your career.

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