Can you robot-proof your career 47% of workers may be at risk

Can you robot-proof your career 47% of workers may be at riskCan you robot-proof your career 47% of workers may be at riskWhile the threat of a zombie apocalypse is a theme frequently revisited on TV and in the movies, in real-life more people are worried by a potential robot apocalypse threatening to swallow entire industries whole.In 2013, Oxford University released a study called The Future of Employment How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation? by Dr. Michael A. Osborne. The duo analyzed the susceptibility of over 700 different careers to automatization and estimated that 47% of jobs in the US are at risk of being automated in the next 20 years.Along those lines, last summer, Scott Latham, Ph.D. and Beth Humberd both professors at Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell, co-authored an article for MIT Sloan Management Review titled Four Ways Jobs Will Respond to Automation. In an attempt to assess the threat automation poses for specific careers, the two coded 50 profession s according to the type of value jobholders delivered and the skills they used to deliver it. The results were surprising. Instead of more blue-collar careers becoming obsolete, their research seems to suggest that a plumber may see less disruption than a legal professional.Latham explained their theory to Ladders.Its a value propositionLatham said Understanding the value that you provide is crucial. For instance, If the value is what you dointernally, if youre a salesperson, then the relationship you have with the customer is of value. Latham explained Very few people provide the value of what they do. An accountant might say I do the books. But theres more, you do the books. You understand the process and how it affects the individual or the business.Latham referenced legendary Harvard Business School marketing professor Theodore Levitt who famously said, People dont want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole Theyre not really interested in the item as much as getting a job done or filling a specific need. Latham believes this analogous to value. Whether you paint the walls or do the books, whats the inherent value in what you do?Latham challenges you to ask yourself the following questionsHow standard is the value of what you create? Latham references the pharmacy process where automation might prove superior on some level, since accuracy is the gold standard and lets face it, A robot can do it better. He also offers an example of a radiologist, Their work is very standard pattern recognition. If a robot or some sort of artificial intelligence can deliver the value and do it cheaper and more accurately- youre in trouble. Possibly. But since life brings with it all kinds of fluctuations and nuance, its not a definitive.Do you really need retraining? Latham says If you come to the point in time when you realize your job is in danger, you might also hear that you need to go back to school for additional training. He explains thats not nece ssarily a great idea since If you send someone back to school mid-career its not viable, its possible that they come out and their career is dated. Instead, it might be time to rethink the value you give to your employer and clients and perhaps work on your other existing skills instead. Latham believes theres a lot of misguided advice as well. Stop telling kids to learn how to code, because the second generation of artificial intelligence will code better than them. If you tell a kid to code and the next thing is better, youve wasted their potential.So, should you be sitting around doing nothing waiting for the robots take over the world? Not quite. Instead, consider the fact that many careers might benefit from finely tuned automation Latham cites engineering as a career likely to benefit tremendously from a more automated workspace.The upside of that is that according to Latham, there will be a new creative economy that consists of writing and photography for instance, which are nt standard in approach and have a lot of ambiguity.Its all happened before, from the invention of the wheel to the Industrial Revolution, as things become more automated some careers are destroyed, while others enjoy a renaissance of sorts. If something can be standardized, its going to be automated, Latham said. Is there any ambiguity? Then theyll be just fine.He offers the example of classic TV sitcom Laverne and Shirley in which the two main characters worked as bottle-cappers at a fictitious beer factory. If set in more modern times, Latham muses There would be no Laverne and Shirley today. It would be Robot A and Robot B.

Questions ot Ask When Starting a New Job

Questions ot Ask When Starting a New JobQuestions ot Ask When Starting a New JobThe first day in the office is a big day. When youre starting a new job, its always a good idea elend to expect that this workplace will be the same as your last. Each company has its own way of doing things and its own style. The sooner you learn how to operate in your new work environment, the faster youll be an asset. New employees always do well when they take the initiative to learn. There are some questions that its important to get answered, so you canstart the new job on the right foot. Best Questions to Ask When Starting a New Job While many of these questions might be answered in anew employee orientation, some of them may not. Take note of the questions not covered in training. If they arent answered during your first few days on the job, approach your peers and immediate supervisor, so youre as informed as possible.Introduce yourself to as many people as possible, so youll have access to a dvice and support as you start your tenure with your new employer. What Are the Companys Expectations of Your Role? When applying and interviewing for the job, you likely read and reread the job description. However, your full responsibilities and the companys expectations are not necessarily limited to what is listed in the job posting. Here are a few specific questions to consider thatwillhelp you get the full picture of your new role. Is any part of the original job description unclear, ambiguous, or outdated? If so, ask for clarification.How long should it take for you to become autonomous (no longer intraining) at your position?When and how will the organization review your performance?What process does your organization follow for performance reviews?What doessuccess look likein your new role and your department?How does the leadership handle failures to meet expectations? Once you have the answers to these questions, youll understandthe performance management process. You can then factor this information into how you set yourprofessional goalsfor the year ahead. What Are the Companys Policies and Procedures? It is important that you speak the same language as the company when it comes to policies and procedures. For example, there is likely a policy in place for submitting assignments. If you misunderstand (or never knew in the first place) how to submit completed work, your leaders and coworkers might assume that you never did the work. From getting the job done to taking time off to business hours, all of these issues relate to the companys policies and procedures. Settling in means becoming familiar with the structure and fitting in. Here are a few questions to further pin down company policies and procedures Is there an employee handbook?How are you expected to handle conflict between yourself and another employee?What is the process for reporting abuse, harassment, and any other unethical behavior? Taking the time to understand your organiz ations history and how your new team operates is a great way to earn the respect of your coworkers. A learning and patient approach to your involvement at your new office will help establish your own credibility and build trust with your new teammates. Eventually, youll also want to assess whichprocesses are currently working and which processes need improvement. Get to know the challenges that the organization is currently facing and what is planned for the future. What Is the Culture or Vibe of the Office? You may have discussed some aspects ofyour new organizations culturebefore accepting your new role, but it is importantto understand what that culture looks likeon a daily basis. To better understand the personality of the company, here are a few questions to ask When are you expected to be clockedin at the office and when are you permitted to work at home?What communication channels are you authorized to use to communicate remotely/digitally with other employees?Are there a ny workplace clubs or sports teams you can get involved in to meet new people?How are employees held accountable for commitments and goals?What is acceptable behavior at work and what is not?How close are supervisors permitted to be with their employees?What is the pace of the workday? Does the company prefer direct candor or careful diplomacy during collaborative moments? How to Make the Best Impression In plus-rechnen to having questions ready to ask, its important to take the time toprepare to start your new job. Review these20 tips for starting a new job, so youre on the path to success with your new employer. The Bottom Line Be Curious from Day One Demonstrating curiosity by asking questions is an excellentway to show your engagement, display that you are committed to learning, and let managers know you want to do well in your new role. It also keeps you from appearing aloof, timid, or judgmental on your first day of work.Take Relationship Building Seriously Additionally, a sking questions is a great way to get to know your new colleagues and set the foundation forstrong, long-lasting relationships at work. Filling in your knowledge gaps by asking great questions will give you a head start on a rewarding career at the new company.

Why Doing One New, Scary Thing a Day Should Be Your New Habit

Why Doing One New, Scary Thing a Day Should Be Yur New HabitWhy Doing One New, Scary Thing a Day Should Be Your New HabitIn the old times, people would send out ships- or, more literally, missives or investment money or goods or loved ones- and wait for something to come back to them. Some ships, and their corresponding goods, would never come back, lost or wrecked in a storm. But some would come back with untold treasures and gold aboard. Even though there was risk involved, sending out ships was the only way they could possibly return with gold. If you didnt send your ship, there would be no chance of treasure coming into port.This idea, I believe, is pretty applicable to our careers and lives today, too. I first learned about the concept from Chellie Campbells The Wealthy Spirit, and I have since adapted the concept and defined a ship to be anything thats outbound and new. For example, I was a concert pianist before I became an accidental entrepreneur- chemical-filled body lotions were giving me allergic reactions, so I began to concoct my own all-natural versions in my Manhattan kitchen. As I began to share them with stores and spas, I first abfluged using the ship concept Each day, Id send out ships to potential customers, the media, and more. People started to ask me how I was able to gain success quickly, and so I founded Savor the Success, a womens business network. Today Ive mentored thousands of women to send out their ships- and the gold thats returned has been everything from Today Show appearances and million-dollar sales to new partnerships and even lifelong friendships.So what about you? If you want to apply for a new job, a ship could be sending off your resume to a dream company- even if it doesnt have a position listed- or asking an interesting contact for an informational interview. If you want to get PR for your startup or freelance business, it could be sending out a pitch or signing up for a class on how to do it. You can even apply this t o your personal life If you want to go on a great date, it could be messaging a potential love interest or asking a friend to make an introduction. In short, a ship is simply taking the proactive first step and putting an ask or idea out there. Of course, sending out ships can be intimidating (by its very definition, a ship has to sail through uncharted waters), which is why we often stay in the status quo and keep our ships at home. Plus, theres no guarantee what might come back as a response. Maybe nothing But maybe something- something big- and youll never know if you dont try. So heres my challenge to you Commit to sending out one to three ships every single day. Over time, this will change your career, your business, and your life, more than any other resolution can. Better yet, the more you do it, the easier it will start to feel. At first, you might send out easy ships- something akin to a ship that only sails across the harbor and back. But as you graduate to larger ships th at explore big oceans, youll start to dream of bigger ideas- and the rewards that come back will be bigger and better than you could have ever dreamed.Photo of woman looking at water courtesy of Shutterstock.