While there are some positives; roles such as software engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity experts are increasingly in demand due to technology advances, the future of other roles can feel uncertain.
Many factors influence a career decision, be they personal circumstances or lifestyle changes. AI and emerging technologies could also be one of them.
As new digital tools shake up business as usual, it is causing many of us to think about future trends and future jobs. Automation is a key driver of this change, and it could be a major source of concern for workers as it contributes to job displacement and creates the need for workers to develop new skills, for new tasks.
Oliver Pickup knows this journey intimately, as he has experienced it himself, across his last twenty years as an award-winning journalist and writer.
The fear of becoming obsolete – which Oliver calls FOBO – is real, especially as rapid technological advances redefine what future careers look like. But what if this fear wasn’t a signal to retreat, but an invitation to evolve?
In many industries, expected job growth rates highlight the increasing demand for roles that require adaptability and human skills.
In this chapter of Switch in Six, Oliver explores how we can future-proof our careers, not by outrunning machines, but by leaning into what makes us inherently human. He invites job seekers, students, and other professionals to rethink what the future workforce needs, and to develop key skills alongside the world of work as it evolves.
Whether you’re contemplating a bold leap into a new industry or quietly fearful that your current role might not exist in a decade, this chapter is a must-read. You’ll learn why the “six Cs” – communication, creativity, compassion, courage, curiosity, and collaboration – are the essential skills of tomorrow, and how to utilise them in your own work life.
Deciding your next step for your career is much more than seeking new jobs or companies; it’s an exercise in problem-solving.
Oliver’s guidance is both practical and optimistic: change isn’t just possible; it’s necessary. And it’s less about tech knowledge, than it is about becoming more deeply human.
Read the next chapter of the Switch in Six, by Oliver Pickup, to reframe FOBO into fuel for your career change.
2025-08-26 10:22:00