In the digital world... How to Future-proof your career?

The range of careers in the digital space is massive and it is also very new – the opportunities and job titles that exist now are things that were unimaginable and unheard of only a few years ago. So, if a career in digital is something that you want to consider, here are a few angles that you might want to consider.

As the professional world becomes increasingly automated, companies will need people with the skills to solve more complex technology problems and make the right calls to keep everything running smoothly. The decision-making, project management and problem-solving skills you may have picked up in your current position could give you a leg up in a future high-tech career.

Become a search wizard

Helping to optimize websites for search is a huge field and a very important one. A website that lacks traffic is a waste of money and the front for a company that is probably going to go under. Because websites are one of the most common sources for a new business it is critical that any site can be found by the relevant people and this is where SEO comes in. There are plenty of companies offering SEO services in India and they are always looking for bright and well-studied millennials to join their teams.

UX People

UX is a phrase that didn’t really exist ten years ago. Now it is possible to study it at university and to build a career out of it. In short, it stands for User Experience and it covers off the way that people interact with the digital platforms. It is more than just design. It is about the user journey and experience. About what works and what doesn’t from an interaction perspective. What features and implementations bring people back and secure repeat visits and what looks good but is redundant. This is the domain of the UX expert, and it makes for a fascinating career.

Community Managers

Similar in many ways to an editor, but more the domain of social media engagements and publishing. As brands strive to grow their social followings on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, so they need people to manage those communities. In short, to be the voice of the brand. There is no point in building a following if you are not going to interact with it and engage. This is a role that requires strong management and writing abilities as well as a good understanding of marketing and brands.

YouTubers

So many people have relevant and interesting things to say, and one of the big advantages of the digital era is that it has given rise to lots of independent voices. Media is no longer about big corporations deciding on what people should be told and what they don’t need to know. Now anybody can build an audience and monetize it and YouTube are currently making lots of people very wealthy. If you have the skills and the opinions investigate it – you might be surprised at what can be made of a successful channel.

Here are some tips to help you beat the business world to the punch and future-proof your career:

1. Realize and Hone Your Current Skills                                                                   In addition to helping you better steer the tech, honing these “soft skills” will give you an advantage in the job roles that are most resistant to technological advancement, i.e., those careers which require a high level of emotional intelligence, such as teacher, nurse and psychologist. With this in mind, other highly marketable soft skills in the digital age include verbal communication, empathy, listening and creativity. If you already have these, make sure you’re ready to sell your talents to potential employers when you re-enter the job market, particularly if you’ve decided IT is the right field for you. If you’re still deciding between IT and other fields, here are nine compelling reasons to work in technology.

2. Invest In Self-Education

   This doesn’t have to be a monetary investment, but instead can be an investment of some of your free time. If you’re trying to pick up IT skills, there are numerous free online options to help you begin to acquaint yourself with how new technology works and how it’s programmed, maintained, run and kept secure. Some free (or freemium) training options include MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), YouTube videos and subscription services like ITProTV.

3. Embrace New Technologies

   You can stay ahead of the curve and keep up with the latest trends by committing to integrating new technology into your life as it hits the market. For instance, download the latest apps, wire your home with the latest IoT smart devices and sign up to attend a local 3-D printing workshop.

4. Be Adaptable

   If there’s one thing you can count on in terms of both technology and the job market, it’s change. High-tech workers have to be ready to fully adopt the latest software, devices, applications and digital tools. Otherwise, they might get left behind while their more adaptable peers climb the ladder to success.

5. Follow Your Passions

   Ideally, you’ll end up transitioning into a future career that provides you with satisfaction and the opportunity to feel passionate about what you do. That’s the goal, right? It’ll be easier to achieve that if you let your passions guide you to particular areas of innovative business and tech.

6. Make Your Professional Connections Matter

   The power of networking is one of the few things that probably won’t change in the foreseeable future, regardless of how the digital age alters the workforce. It’s simply easier to get the job you want if you know the right people – professionals who can introduce you to hiring managers or vouch for your skills if you’re aiming to transfer to a different department at the same company.