4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a term widely used by business analysts, economist and recruitment. The 4IR is impacting and changing the current state of our market – merging the physical, biological and technology worlds. Examples of such merger can be artificial intelligence, augmented reality or 3D printing.
Such (or these) changes are driven by market demands, our fast-paced life as well as a highly competitive free economy. Nowadays, you cannot afford to lag behind. You need to remain up to date with the latest skills, experience and knowledge to remain relevant and marketable.
This sounds scary, especially with people now focusing on the pandemic and turbulent job market.
However, think about what drives change? Change is often driven by demand and current need/demand is -scientists.
If you are science graduate, you are extremely well positioned and marketable within both the current and future job market. You are #resilient, #resourceful, #reliable and #responsible (apart from many other wonderful qualities, that I’m sure you have).
Why are these specific 4 R’s of scientists so important in the 4th IR during the pandemic?
As a scientist you’ve learnt how to survive long hours in the lab, many weeks of studying, facing disappointments of failed experiments (or some exams) and you have still managed to graduate! You are resilient!
You’ve managed to deliver plenty of presentations, showcasing your data to multiple audiences or you’ve published your data in peer-reviewed journals, which is never easy.
Companies are now looking for technology-savvy employees, who can deliver work on time, in the virtual space. You are fully aware that knowledge can be easily obtained, and you are capable to quickly self-teach yourself (look back to all the lab techniques, which you’ve learnt throughout the years with no or limited supervision). You are resourceful!
Since you are self-driven, having had to complete various internships to get your degree, you are able to stick to timelines and set and honour your work milestones. You can be trusted with completing a project or a task timeously. A case in point would be the writing of your Bachelor thesis or preparing buffers to conduct experiments the next day or week. You are reliable!
For many years you’ve been learning about responsibility for your actions and consequences. Whether it be the simple usage of protective equipment when performing experiments, avoiding plagiarism in writing your work or meticulously checking your sources and keeping your scientific knowledge up to date. You are responsible!
As trivial as it might seem, scientists possess most of the characteristics required in today’s and upcoming job market. Jeanne Meister’s Future Workplace 2020 Report features a combined list of top 20 power skills for future jobs. This comprehensive list includes: complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, coordination, emotional intelligence, service orientation, judgment, negotiation, cognitive flexibility, strategic thinking, executive presentation, project management, analytical skills, understanding of impact of AI, leadership ability, change management, team intelligence, digital literacy, computational thinking[i].
Think about it? Through your education you have accumulated so many of these #POWERSKILLS that you are not even aware of or might’ve overlooked!
