Mar 08, 2018
It’s a brave new world out there. Technology and other forces are changing the workplace and a new knowledge base will be needed--yet many of these subjects are not taught in classrooms today. Is your child prepared for what lies ahead?
English, math, and science might be subjects that come to mind when you consider engaging a tutor for your child, but why not bring a tutor onboard to teach subjects that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and top business leaders, will see significant job growth in the coming years? (Not to mention subjects that lead to careers considered “robot-proof.”) Getting your child interested in these topics now will most likely give them the head start needed to compete later.
Accounting and Finance
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 10% from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. In general, employment growth of accountants and auditors is expected to be closely tied to the health of the overall economy. As the economy grows, more workers will be needed to prepare and examine financial records. In addition, with the recent changes to the tax code, CPA’s, accountants, and those with general knowledge of finance are needed to handle an increasing volume of individuals who no longer understand the new regulations. Financial managers who can direct financial activities at organizations will be needed as well.
Computer Science
Coding, coding, coding. Some are calling it the next required foreign language but only one out of 10 schools in the U.S. offers computer science courses. By 2020, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that 778,000 computer jobs will be created. “That is substantial growth that is expected to outpace the growth of the overall economy,” says Martin Kohli, a chief regional economist with the bureau. Other areas that will see job growth include computer systems analysts who can analyze data processing to develop better computer systems and software systems developers to develop operating systems and network software. Computer and information systems managers who can plan and coordinate computer systems will also be in demand.
Economics and Engineering
Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, says that people with backgrounds in three things will be the most in-demand going forward: science, engineering, and economics. Workers proficient in those subjects will be "the agents of change for all institutions," Gates told LinkedIn Executive Editor Daniel Roth. "I do think of basic knowledge of the sciences, math skills, economics — a lot of careers in the future will be very demanding on those things," Gates says.
Marketing
People with skills in SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing), as well as storytelling skills, particularly using AI, social media, video, and audio will see more job opportunities in the future. In addition, marketing specialists, online marketing managers, advertising managers, and market research analysts who can research market conditions and create effective marketing campaigns are increasingly in demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects 136,000 new positions in marketing and marketing related fields by 2026.
Liberal Arts
Mark Cuban believes artificial intelligence will automate many jobs involving technical tasks, but jobs that rely on critical thinking and creativity are less at risk. "Knowing how to critically think and assess [situations] from a global perspective I think is going to be more valuable," Cuban said, speaking at SXSW in March 2017.
Jonathan Rosenberg, former Senior Vice President of Products at Google and current advisor to Alphabet Inc., agrees with Cuban. He told CNBC "We need more traditional liberal arts grads." Jobs that require strong cognitive abilities and analytical thinking will be more difficult to replace with AI, according to Rosenberg. Technology will impact some 60% of all occupations, according to a July 2016 report by McKinsey, but jobs that require making decisions or people management are the least at risk.
Physics
Applied physics is about solving real-world problems: building infrastructure, engines, telecommunication networks, microchips, satellites, and automobiles for example. All things that will continue to be built and improve for years to come, and like anything else involving cognitive thinking, will not be replaced by AI. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics says “overall employment of physicists and astronomers is projected to grow 14% from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations”.
Statistics
According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 rankings, statician is the best job in STEM, it’s the best job in business, it’s the fourth best job, period. From improving the agriculture industry to solving spatial analysis challenges for the fire department to managing data science at the White House, and more, virtually every industry needs workers who are skilled in statistics. Over the past five years, 65 percent of employers said they needed more smart hires who know stats, according to a recent survey by SHRM and sponsored by the American Statistical Association.
Sustainable Living/Geology/Conservation/Climate and Environmental Science
With the ongoing battle over climate change, the rise in green sustainable energy, and increasing conservation awareness the need for workers with knowledge in these fields is expected to increase. To help combat "widespread scientific ingorance," educators involved in writing the Next Generation Science Standards recommend climate change be taught as early as middle school, but adoption of these classes is slow especially in smaller towns, inner cities, and rural schools.
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk says technology will replace so many human jobs, people will eventually have to rely on a universal basic income. Research by McKinsey and Company supports the concern. “While automation will eliminate very few occupations entirely in the next decade, it will affect portions of almost all jobs to a greater or lesser degree”.
The good news: young students today, who will be more affected by these changes, can start early and stay on top of workforce changes through education.
Is your student learning a subject outside of the classroom that you feel will help them stay on top of workforce changes or technology? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
