Technology is advancing at an incredible rate. It is no secret that these changes will impact jobs. While some jobs are at risk of being replaced, new jobs are created every day, especially in fields supporting the growth of new technologies. Some trades are also not expected to be automated any time soon.
If you are asking yourself: What jobs will continue to be in demand in the future? These jobs look like they are here to stay. Read on to find out if your chosen career made the list.
Cybersecurity Experts
In this intelligent age, everybody has access to network. With a comprehensive network comes higher risks of cybercrime. Hence, we need cybersecurity experts to help safeguard our personal information and sensitive data against theft and loss.
Cybersecurity professionals identify threats and vulnerabilities in computer systems and software. They design and implement secure network solutions to protect organisations’ networks and data systems from hackers, cyberattacks, and other forms of computer crime and digital threats.These talents are in demand across practically every industry. And they play a critical role in ensuring a safe and secure Smart Nation.
Teachers & Educators
While the teaching job may now involve more technology, such as online learning and tools to engage students in the classroom, it is unlikely that educators will see their jobs replaced by technology.
Teaching is a uniquely “human” activity, where in-person interactions bring the most enrichment and value. Besides providing a more hands-on learning experience, teachers work closely with students to customise learning and support them in their problems. Such interpersonal skills cannot be replaced by technology. Neither can those tasks requiring higher-order cognitive skills, such as preparing lesson plans, marking tests, and grading assignments, be fully automated.
Data Scientists
Data is created every millisecond of every day. The very act of data collection brings no real advantage, and data on its own is not necessarily useful. But when combined with other data points, it can generate insights to help organisations drive smarter data-driven decisions.
That’s the very job of a data scientist: to help organisations interpret and manage data and solve complex problems using expertise in various data niches. They generally have a foundation in computer science, math, and statistics, complemented by a strong business sense. Their experience may also extend to data visualisation, data mining, and information management.
A data scientist’s role may change as technology evolves in the future. But it is unlikely to go away because of the higher-order thinking skills required on the job that computers and robots cannot perform, such as analysing problems and creating arguments.
Healthcare Professionals & Carers; Social Workers & Therapists
Healthcare will always be an essential industry, with the growing ageing population contributing to its increased demand. Despite the technological advances and innovations in medicine and healthcare, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare will always need the human touch.
While doctors and dentists may use technological tools to help them achieve more efficient and error-free procedures, patients want to know that on the other end of those tools is a certified professional with a human touch. Automation also cannot replace the innate expertise of nurses and carers in comforting and emotionally supporting their patients.
In the same vein, careers such as therapy, counselling, and social work also rely on professionals to assess individual needs and offer personalised solutions. In many cases, they handle delicate, sensitive situations requiring the skill of forming human relationships and understanding complex behaviours, something machines cannot support.
Sales & Marketing Professionals
Many aspects of sales and marketing have since been automated. But it doesn’t mean that salespeople and marketers do not have a place in the future of work.
While data may inform their strategy, salespeople must still draw on their relationship-building and negotiation skills to build rapport and convince prospective customers to sign off the deal.
The same goes for the marketing profession. While technology has transformed marketing by making campaigns more personalised and immersive and creating ecosystems that are more integrated and targeted, marketers must continue to exercise their critical thinking and creativity when translating marketing data into actionable insights and in the execution of buzzworthy and effective campaigns.
So, if anything, technology helps sales and marketing people do an even better job.
Systems Analysts, Software Engineers & Programmers
Systems analysts study an organisation’s current computer systems and procedures and design improvements to them. Meanwhile, software engineers use principles from computer science to develop and maintain scalable software application products, such as operating systems, computer games, mobile apps, and other digital systems. Then we have the programmers who write, modify, and test the code and scripts, ensuring the proper function of computer software and applications.
As more organisations leverage technology and compete to stay ahead of the curve with newer and more sophisticated technologies, they will need specialists to help them understand how to use these technologies to operate more efficiently and skilled talents to develop, implement, and maintain them. As long as technology is always growing and evolving, there shall be a never-ending demand for these computer science roles.
Sustainability Careers
The green revolution is here. The Singapore government hopes to create 50,000 green jobs by 2030, ranging from high-tech agriculture and aquaculture to climate science and waste management. Not only does a job in sustainable development enjoy a guaranteed demand in the future, but it also provides a rewarding career—with the opportunity to positively impact the environment, people’s quality of life, and future generations.
Lawyers
Lawyers need to have an in-depth understanding of case law and their client’s unique circumstances. The human element in legal representation is still required when putting up arguments and finding nuances in data. Therefore, there isn’t a high chance for a total replacement of lawyers, at least for now.
Human Resource Roles
While automation can help to take on the heavy lifting in administrative functions, such as payroll or filtering job applicants, the human touch in human resources (HR) will always remain, especially in recruitment and performance management. It would be disastrous to leave hiring decisions and appraisals to machines and robots! The complex human interaction and empathy required in HR make it incredibly hard for technology to fully take over these roles.
Concluding Thoughts
While you use this knowledge to your advantage when selecting a career path, it is important to note that the above list is non-exhaustive. It merely scratches the surface of jobs that are unlikely to go away, at least for the time being. There are many more professions calling for a high level of human touch, emotions, creativity, and critical thinking that can make the list of jobs that are here to stay, such as jobs in the artistic discipline. And so the list goes on.
Ultimately, it is likely that most jobs will involve a certain level of automation in the future. And when that happens, don’t be afraid to work with technology. If anything, it can help to evolve job roles and make human workers more effective. As long as you are motivated to upskill yourself constantly to be marketable in time, there will be no limits to your career choices.