Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Technological progress is coming at us faster and is changing the world of work. McKinsey researchers predict that 12 million of us will make a career change by 2030. This isn’t a bad thing as long as you keep the situation under control and take steps to future-proof yourself. This expected turning point is also ideal if you are at the beginning of your career or are not yet satisfied with your current situation. Implementing steps to catapult yourself into your desired career will be even more effective if these efforts focus on adapting to technological advances.
It’s important to future-proof yourself because technology won’t disappear, but some jobs will. To maintain your competitive edge as an entrepreneur and secure the future of your business, it is crucial to continually invest in the skills that are currently in demand and anticipate those that will be critical in the future. To achieve this, you must embrace reality and stop hiding from the technology that could help you develop your talents.
For example, I’m shocked when I hear that people aren’t using Grammarly, an AI-based grammar and writing tool, to improve their writing and gain a competitive advantage. If the way you present yourself through email and other written communication is a large part of modern jobs, using AI-based grammar tools can help you appear more polished and professional and advance your career without taking up more time to claim something.
Quite simply, if you can use AI and other technologies as tools to improve your skills, you create a workplace safety shield. The best part? You don’t need to be a data scientist to use most of the products available on the market. Most of them are user-friendly and quick to implement. Case in point: Not long ago, I worked with someone whose company uses generative AI to help organizations respond to RFPs within two hours. Traditionally, these responses took a full team and two weeks to complete and deliver. This corresponds to a processing time of two hours instead of two weeks – groundbreaking in terms of customer satisfaction alone!
Not sure how or where to begin your mission to stay ahead of the technology-driven “what customers want” curve? Put these strategies into action to future-proof your career.
Related: AI is changing the way we look at job skills – here’s what you need to do to prepare.
1. Improve your soft skills game
For years I have been asking companies what they expect from our university’s MINT graduates. Your top answers are always about “soft skills.” Why? Employers assume that anyone coming out of a STEM program can master STEM subjects. However, you also want them to be able to communicate effectively.
If you want to improve your communication skills, it’s worth the effort, especially in a professional environment. According to a recent study, effective leadership communication not only strengthens team and personal resources, but also significantly increases team effectiveness and individual commitment. Mastering good communication can improve your ability to work well in team environments, give 360-degree feedback, and explain your thoughts to others. These skills are invaluable assets that will set you apart at every stage of your career and demonstrate your potential and abilities in collaborative environments.
To improve your communication, take an acting class, a public speaking class, or a writing workshop. Force yourself to step out of your comfort zone so you can interact with others without distraction. Nothing says “confidence” more than the ability to effectively lead a meeting, present your ideas, and enthusiastically explain concepts one-on-one, in small groups, or in front of a large audience.
Related: Here’s what you can do now to stay busy when a robot finally becomes available to do your job
2. Become the Reese of industry experts
Decades ago, Reese’s launched a clever campaign that highlighted the brand’s unique chocolate-peanut butter combination. You can be like Reese and make a name for yourself in your industry by excelling in two areas that normally wouldn’t compete.
For example, a common combination for many STEM workers is that they have in-depth knowledge of both AI and robotics. An unusual – and extremely interesting – alternative would be expertise in games science and cybersecurity. Or you can understand the ins and outs of the world of mobile programming and learn how to analyze large amounts of data.
We live in a time where technology offers many independent and embedded moving parts and tools. To be successful, you don’t just have to be good at one thing. You must have a range of skills to impress your current and future employers. By putting different puzzle pieces together in creative ways, you become the unicorn in the room. This is a good tactic even if your competitors are superior to you in terms of years of experience in a job – you have more skills to offer.
3. Get tech savvy and stick with it
Have you been watching and waiting from the sidelines as new technologies develop? Stop observing and start engaging. You don’t have to climb the math mountain or go to engineering school, but you should be willing to attend a boot camp or take advantage of another resource to get to know the technology better. Every time you gain a little insight, you will think differently about what you do. Over time, you become more valuable and agile because you are up to date.
A good place to start is by examining AI and edge programming. Just a little skill and depth in either subject will give you a head start on the general learning curve. Not only will you understand more than others in your field, you will also see potential career opportunities, promotions, and lateral position opportunities before anyone else.
Related: AI May Not Take Your Job, But Someone Using AI Probably Will – Here’s Why.
Here’s an example of what I mean: Recently, Air Canada lost a lawsuit because their world-class AI customer service tool gave customers the wrong price. I suspect that programmers will use this precedent to improve AI responses. But people still want human service options for their more complex problems. Therefore, top-notch service professionals with incredibly diverse and deep skillsets are sought after to fill the gaps.
The more we let technology guide us, the more jobs will disappear. What won’t go away, however, is the desire for companies that possess all the characteristics that AI and technology cannot master. By being proactive, you can become indispensable and enjoy improved job security.