Advance your profession through these three key elements.
In today's rapidly evolving job market, staying competitive requires a proactive approach. Three key areas - leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), volunteering, and starting a side hustle - can significantly enhance one's career prospects by building technical expertise, enhancing soft skills, expanding networks, and increasing adaptability to rapid changes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
As AI continues to transform workplaces and job requirements, mastering AI tools and techniques such as data analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning becomes increasingly crucial[1][2][3]. By developing these skills, professionals can remain competitive, increase productivity, and move into higher-value roles that AI alone cannot fulfill. For freelancers and independent workers, AI can automate routine tasks and expand capacity, enabling higher quality work and new income streams[2][4]. Continual upskilling in AI also prepares workers for the growing demand in AI-related fields such as cybersecurity and data science[3][5].
Volunteering
Volunteering offers a way to gain practical skills, expand professional networks, and demonstrate initiative and commitment - traits valued by employers. It can fill experience gaps, enhance interpersonal and leadership abilities, and provide exposure to new industries or job roles, especially when entry-level positions are limited due to AI-driven automation[1]. Volunteering can differentiate candidates by showcasing soft skills and community involvement, which are often less automatable qualities.
Starting a Side Hustle
Launching a side hustle can provide an opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and diversify income. Side hustles powered by AI tools can be more efficient and profitable, enabling individuals to demonstrate initiative, creativity, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities[4]. In addition, side hustles provide real-world experience that can lead to full-time career shifts or add valuable credentials. Combining AI proficiency with side hustles positions workers well for the evolving market where self-employment and freelancing are growing, particularly for roles emphasizing uniquely human skills[2][5].
In sum, combining AI skills, volunteering, and side hustles creates a multifaceted approach to career advancement by building technical expertise, enhancing soft skills, expanding networks, and increasing adaptability to rapid changes in the job market driven by AI and automation trends[1][2][4][5].
Leila Saad, founder of Catalyst Lane, notes that non-profits often lack resources and can benefit from employees with expertise (Common Impact). Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, advises getting better acquainted with AI if one is worried about it replacing their job. Side jobs can give employees a sense of self-determination, and workers may take on side jobs due to poor hiring conditions in some industries[6][7]. Volunteering activities can boost employee well-being more effectively than other measures[8], and side jobs can open up new opportunities for new ideas and technologies that could boost the economy in the long run[9].
In a weaker job market, employees have a greater responsibility for shaping their careers. Career experts recommend improving skills with artificial intelligence (AI) to advance careers[10]. Employees who master AI skills are likely to go further in their careers[11]. Jennifer Schielke, CEO of Summit Group Solutions, suggests volunteering as a way to gain perspective, especially after job loss (Leading for Impact)[12]. AI-assisted assessments can test many more job seekers and a wider range of tasks than would otherwise be possible[13], and creating appropriate input prompts for generative AI is now crucial[14]. Kiki Leutner, co-founder of SeeTalent.ai, explains that AI-driven tests can support the hiring process by simulating job-related tasks and providing insights on how someone interacts with others[15]. Sean Barry, vice president of talent acquisition at Allstate, suggests getting better acquainted with AI as technology will demand new skills from many people[16].
In conclusion, in an AI-driven job market, a combination of AI skills, volunteering, and side hustles can empower individuals to adapt, innovate, and thrive in their careers. By staying agile, learning new skills, and embracing opportunities, professionals can remain competitive and seize the benefits that the digital age offers.
[1] University of Oxford study
[2] Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor senior economist
[3] Leila Saad, founder of Catalyst Lane
[4] Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
[5] Common Impact
[6] Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor senior economist
[7] University of Oxford study
[8] Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor senior economist
[9] Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor senior economist
[10] Career experts
[11] Employees who master AI skills are likely to go further in their careers
[12] Jennifer Schielke, CEO of Summit Group Solutions
[13] AI-assisted assessments can test many more job seekers and a wider range of tasks than would otherwise be possible
[14] Creating appropriate input prompts for generative AI was not a thing a few years ago, but it is now crucial
[15] Kiki Leutner, co-founder of SeeTalent.ai
[16] Sean Barry, vice president of talent acquisition at Allstate
What skills must professionals develop to thrive in the AI-driven job market? Developing AI tools and techniques such as data analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning is crucial for remaining competitive and increasing productivity.
What advantages can volunteering offer for career advancement? Volunteering can provide opportunities to gain practical skills, expand professional networks, and demonstrate initiative and commitment, which are valued by employers.
