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Automation Affecting your career? Here’s how to pivot

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Automation Affecting your career? Here’s how to pivot

TL;DR

If automation is stalling your career, you can pivot by:

  1. Continuously learning new skills, especially AI literacy and human-centric abilities.
  2. Identifying growth sectors and leveraging transferable skills.
  3. Building a strong professional network for opportunities and support.
  4. Staying informed about industry trends to anticipate changes.
  5. Embracing AI as a tool to enhance productivity, not a job replacer.

AI-driven automation is rapidly transforming the job market, displacing certain roles while creating new opportunities. The World Economic Forum's (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 indicates that AI and automation will transform 86% of businesses by 2030, creating 170 million new roles globally while displacing 92 million existing jobs. This shift necessitates proactive career pivoting. Here’s how to navigate this transition.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

The future of work demands adaptability. According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report, enrollments in AI literacy and data visualization courses surged by 48%. To stay relevant:

  • Acquire Technical Skills: Enroll in online courses on platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udemy. Focus on AI basics, data analysis, or industry-specific tools.
  • Develop Human-Centric Skills: Cultivate creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Perspective

As David H. Autor argues, "AI complements human labor by creating jobs that require judgment and interpersonal skills".

  • Earn Micro-Credentials: Obtain certifications to demonstrate proficiency in emerging technologies.

Identify Growth Industries and Transferable Skills

Automation is disrupting low-skill, repetitive roles but creating demand in sectors like healthcare, technology, and renewable energy. Analyze trends to find opportunities:

  • Healthcare: Roles in nursing, health tech, and data analysis are growing.
  • Green Energy: Skills in renewable energy systems are in high demand.
  • AI Development: Roles like AI engineer or data scientist are emerging.

Assess your current skills—communication, project management, or technical expertise—and map them to these growing fields.

Build a Strong Professional Network

Your network is a safety net. Connect with professionals in growth industries:

  • Join Industry Groups: Engage with online forums and professional associations.
  • Attend Virtual Conferences: Participate in online/hybrid events or webinars.
  • Seek Mentors: Find guidance from experienced professionals. Tammy Kling emphasizes that strong relationships help navigate career changes.

Stay Informed About Industry Trends

The job market evolves rapidly. Follow thought leaders and subscribe to publications like the World Economic Forum or McKinsey reports. Lynne Levy notes that continuous learning and adaptability are key to thriving in the automated era.

Leverage Automation as a Tool

Instead of fearing AI, use it to enhance your work. For example:

  • Marketers can use AI for content ideation or customer segmentation.
  • Finance Professionals can apply AI to financial modeling or risk assessment.

As Neil Sahota writes in Forbes, embracing AI allows humans to focus on creative and strategic tasks.

Explore Interdisciplinary Roles

The future workforce will blend technical and human skills. Consider roles that combine:

  • AI and Ethics: Developing AI systems with ethical guidelines.
  • Healthcare and Technology: Managing telehealth platforms.
  • Design and Data: Creating user-friendly data visualizations.

Concluding The Pivot

While automation poses challenges, it also creates opportunities. By embracing lifelong learning, leveraging human-centric skills, and staying adaptable, you can pivot your career successfully. Remember: the era of static job roles is over. Focus on collaboration with AI, not competition, and position yourself for growth in emerging fields.

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