How To Prepare for Automation and the Future of Work

The future of work will be a lot different thanks to automation. Careers that have been popular for decades could be nearly obsolete. Some experts call this the fourth Industrial Revolution. This stage of civilization is marked by rapid technological advancements, increased usage of automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics. But what does this mean for you as an employee? Are you prepared for the possibility that your job could be lost to automation? This should concern people of color for several reasons. Many people of color work in positions that are either already automated or will be automated. These positions include manufacturing jobs, administrative jobs, retail jobs, and certain banking jobs such as tellers. This will make the racial wealth gap even worse in the coming years. If you’re a person of color, now is the time to upskill or reskill so you can compete in this new workforce. Here is how to prepare for automation and the future of work.

How Serious Is The Automation Threat to People of Color?

According to data from McKinsey and Company, a majority of African Americans work in support roles. These support roles also pay workers less than high-paying and in-demand roles. The average wage for support roles is $32,000 compared to $69,000 for more in-demand roles. Let’s look at truck driving, for example. There are 156,000 African American truck drivers and if automation takes over this industry soon, this leaves them vulnerable to job loss. Yet African Americans are still underrepresented in sectors where they’re likely to work in better-paying and in-demand sectors such as software development.

The wealth generated from artificial intelligence-based tools to perform in diverse careers is projected to be $7 trillion. The United States alone could receive $500 billion in household wealth from generative AI. Generative AI is a type of technology that’s used to create content, audio, video, and many other things. Generative AI opened the doors for new and more profitable careers. These include AI prompt engineers, AI content reviewers, content creators, video editors, AI researchers, and countless others. The problem is that a majority of African Americans are missing out on this wealth from generative AI because of a lack of access to the training needed to enter these new careers. With that said, let’s explore how to prepare for automation and the future of work.

Start Reskilling ASAP

Don’t let AI and other technological advances pass you by in the future workforce. Now is the time to research careers that have been created by or enhanced by these advances and reskill so you can enter those careers and thrive financially. As you research these careers, write down your skills gaps and devise a plan to fix the gaps through reskilling. Many community colleges and online course companies offer certifications in skills that will position you for the most in-demand jobs. Take these courses and apply what you learned with practice projects. Put these projects on your website and reach out to potential employers.

Consider A Career in Generative AI

Another way to prepare for automation is to consider a career in generative AI. This is a promising career that will not go away anytime soon and there are certain skills you need to succeed in it. Familiarize yourself with cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Perform. You’ll also need to learn about cybersecurity since it protects AI systems. You can use generative AI for marketing so digital marketing is another skill you should learn. Other jobs that use generative AI are:

• Data scientists
• Data analysts
• AI chatbot developer
• AI writers
• Content creators (Youtubers, bloggers, graphic designers, social media managers)
• Generative design specialist
• AI content reviewer
• AI compliance specialist

There are schools and online course companies that offer courses that lead to certification in generative AI-based careers. These schools include:

• Purdue University
• Cornell University
• University of North Carolina Greensboro
• Stanford University
• Google Cloud
• Coursera’s AI for Everyone

Don’t Forget About Soft Skills

You need new technical skills and knowledge to prepare for automation, but you’ll also need soft skills. You’ll need strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills that help you analyze and solve problems at work. Most employers value creativity so you should always seek out ways to be innovative and move the company forward. Knowing how to communicate effectively is a vital soft skill employers want.

Network, Network, Network

It’s crucial to network with others in the industry you plan to switch to if you’re going to excel and prepare for a workforce dominated by AI and other advanced technologies. Join groups on Facebook and LinkedIn that focus on AI-based careers and pose questions to members to learn more about your chosen career. Talk to friends who work in AI and ask them what they recommend for entering those careers. Attend free and inexpensive seminars and take notes while listening to speeches. Seek out mentors in the field who you can meet with regularly to discuss strategies for advancing in this career. Joining a professional organization offers the chance to find the right mentor. Research the potential mentor before making the request. Finally, introduce yourself through email and discuss your career goals. Include a link to your portfolio website.

Revise Your Resume

Now that you obtained training and the necessary certifications, it’s time to revise your resume. Since most companies use applicant tracking systems to determine the right candidates, make your resume ATS-friendly. Use keywords that relate to the requirements of the position you’re applying for. Include action-oriented words and focus on the results you achieved with numbers and data. Include unpaid positions that relate to the job you’re applying for.

Look Into Automation-Resistant Careers

Maybe you don’t work in the tech sector and you have no interest in AI jobs. Look for non-tech careers that are automation-resistant. These jobs include healthcare professionals, creative professions, therapists, skilled tradespersons, educators, management, social work, and construction. These fields will be around for a long time and some of them pay well too.

As you prepare for a changing workforce, training is necessary to advance in the newest careers that will be a part of our society for years to come. Don’t get left out of this fourth Industrial Revolution. Use these tips to reinvent yourself and build a profitable and rewarding career.