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Growing up alongside the advent of computers, I often heard that technology was transforming not only the way we would work but also how we should approach our career. We were told to no longer expect to spend our entire professional life at one company or in one role. For GenX'ers like me, we were instructed to anticipate and prepare for shorter tenures across multiple employers. What I have witnessed is that not only have we changed employers, many of us have changed careers. My own journey has seen me as a student, marketer, educator, operations strategist, and entrepreneur—and today, I blend elements of each into my role as co-founder and COO at Aptly.
In the ever changing landscape of the workforce, career success and fulfillment requires all of us to stay on top of trends and developments and to upskill and reskill. The distinction between upskilling and reskilling in short: upskilling enhances a worker’s performance in a current role; reskilling prepares a worker with new skills, often for a transition outside of their current career path.
Future employment needs are shifting as a result of technology advancements, including the dynamic progress of AI. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cites several recent studies that predict high-demand careers and skills. For example, digitization and automation, IT and technology, and marketing and communications are among the most-often-mentioned next careers. And companies have identified technology design, programming, monitoring, and control as areas of focus for upskilling and reskilling.
The rapid evolution of social media illustrates this need perfectly. In 2023, Twitter became X, TikTok added the TikTok Shop in the U.S., Meta rolled out AI features for advertisers, and don’t forget about the launch of the new social platform, Threads. Organizations must carefully consider which platforms serve their audience, where they should allocate advertising resources, and who should oversee their online presence. Workers in this space must stay informed of features, trends, and friction points to advise and elevate their organization’s brand and messaging. It’s a demanding task!
Luckily there are many resources to support your efforts. For instance, Aptly was created for just this purpose: to support working professionals with practical knowledge they can readily apply on the job. Through real-world examples and hands-on practice with industry-relevant tools, Aptly courses maximize learning outcomes and engage learners effectively. We’re part of a larger ecosystem with resources to help workers upskill and reskill. These activities require two of your most valuable resources, however—time and often, money. So where should you turn to ensure you’re making a wise investment?
- Professional associations: For networking, research, and education opportunities within a particular industry or career position, professional associations offer unique resources.
- Platform-hosted resources: Specific skills training and how-to information is often available for free directly from a platform, like LinkedIn.
- Online learning providers: Companies like Coursera and EdX offer thousands of courses across a wide variety of subjects, including STEM, business, the arts, and more.
Lifelong learning is essential for achievement and progression in today’s careers. We must be an active participant in this process, however. We must communicate with our employers, stay abreast of industry trends and projections, and seek out opportunities to elevate our skills. There is no one direct path for any of us, and I find that exciting! I hope you’re enjoying the journey as much as I am—where will you go next?
