Today, October 21st 2015, is the actual date that Marty McFly arrived in ‘Back to the Future II’. A number of predictions in the films have come to fruition – such as wearable technology, video calls, hands free gaming, tablets and fingerprint recognition. Of course a few have not. We can never guess it all.
Although we know little about Marty McFly’s career aspirations 30 years in the future, we do know he said “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”
So with that in mind what do we think careers might look like in 2045? Or did you know what you wanted to do in your career along with Marty McFly 30 years ago?
“I knew I wanted to be bigger than Persil washing powder” Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) as a teenager.
I certainly did not know what I wanted to do at age 18, except get out of the ‘human cash dispenser’ job I had at the local bank. It raised a question in my mind as to my own children’s career directions as they approach 18.
A few years ago I attended a presentation by an informative presenter, Jim Carroll, who is a Canadian futurist. I remember he had a number of startling observations to make, none more so that 65% of children in pre-school now will be working in jobs that are not even invented yet and that the workers of the future will change jobs 19 times – that’s nearly as many as my early career!
He also predicted that future workers will re-train in key skills at least 3-4 times. In fact I have a client who has almost done that (and I do not think she has stopped!). She started in Accounting and worked at that for 10 years, re-trained in Human Resources, worked for 10 years and then retrained again to be a lawyer. I am guessing at the 10 year mark she might be back at school!
“Anything is possible” – heck we now have a school teacher as our next Prime Minister.
The Canadian Election result on Monday confirmed that we can never predict even 11 weeks out so its going to be hard to predict careers for the next 5, 10, 20 or 30 years.
So if we don’t have a crystal ball we need some sure fire strategies that will help us make it in any future, backwards or forwards!
6 Surefire Strategies to Survive in Your Career – and MAKE IT!
Me Inc – The only person interested and in control of your career or business and knows it the best is YOU. Take the time to ensure that your personal brand is clear and consistent so that the people that need to know about you can clearly understand what it is you have to offer in terms of unique skills and strengths.
Achievements – It’s not the time to be shy, be meticulous about recording the contributions you make in terms of business impact and communicate these success’ in easy to understand terms, often. Use places like your LinkedIn profile to showcase them.
Knowledge – Running off and doing something new can be saved for another day. Leverage what you know really well and repeat – then when you are on solid ground you can look at other opportunities and have some breathing space to look around, maybe even follow your passions.
Expertise – In tougher times, which we may well be heading in to, companies are not going to take risks with the unknown or the untried, they are going to make sound business investments in people who can add value to their organization. Be sure you are on the same page as to their needs and your experience.
Internet – Never before, even in Back to the Future, has technology had such an impact or offered such scope. Now you can connect with anyone in the world via social networks or blogging. But to exist in that world you need to have a visible online brand. Take the time to build that online brand, being mindful that it needs to be in line with your off line brand.
Touch base – We are human so there is still not a replacement for the personal connection. You have to be constantly keeping in touch with people so that you do not have the reputation for only calling on them when you need something. Make sure that everyone you connect with feels part of your network and that you spend the time to offer help, advice or information, it comes back to you many times over.
Where do you think your career or your kids careers might be in 2045?