5 ways your child's career will be different from your own

When you ask a child who they want to be in the future, you hear many answers, a lawyer, doctor, Formula 1 driver, vet, football player, maybe even a programmist. It’s unlikely you will hear that a child dreams of being a ‘UX designer freelancer doing a bit of front-end development, photographer and tutor on the weekends’?! It is one of the endless possibilities of how their career might actually end up.

The world around us is changing every day, so why wouldn’t our careers? The technological and cultural change that constantly progresses requires us to adapt to the new. Apart from traditional career paths, people nowadays have much more freedom in deciding what their job is going to look like - whether it is the location, the time, or the ‘job title’.

Keep reading to find out what we think will be the new normal in the careers world

Freelancing

Freelancing becomes a more and more popular form of work. In 2019, there were more than 2.1 million freelancers in the UK. For over 1.9 million people freelance was their main job, while another 234,000 people were doing freelance jobs in addition to their main employment.[1] It is especially tempting to young people, and those who value their freedom and independence - thanks to its nature, freelancing allows almost complete freedom of the pace and time of work. What is also important, becoming a freelancer means more freedom (pun not intended) to choose the clients you work with; This can be especially useful for people who want to work in a specific sector, industry or niche. Gaining experience in a particular area that you are passionate about means better value for clients in the future and more satisfaction for you overall.

Changing companies

You could have heard family stories about someone so dedicated that they worked in one company their entire life. While it is still possible, it is no longer the popular career model. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, today’s students are likely to have 8 to 10 jobs by the time they are 38. Each workplace, even if it’s the same industry or position, offers developing different skill sets, working with a different team and in different dynamics. Changing companies is an opportunity for growth and gaining new experiences, and it is viewed as an advantage by employers. It can also translate into a more fulfilling career through discovering your particular niche or passion.

Becoming an entrepreneur

There were 5.9 million small businesses at the start of 2020.[2] With the connection to the internet and a laptop, barriers to entry in this profession are extremely low. Nowadays, suppliers and the global sales market are far more accessible than ever before, hence the growing popularity of entrepreneurship in the modern business world.

Becoming an entrepreneur is a major career decision that can affect your entire life. And this is what’s so great about it. ‘Being an entrepreneur is great because you literally own your destiny’[3]. Running your own business also means a certain level of independence that big companies often don’t allow – not only in terms of schedule and flexibility, but also in the direction which you want to take the company, the values behind the brand and other important business decisions. What matters are your skills and mindset, whether you are able to turn your talent into a profitable business, and the way you pave the way to success. Also, you get to define what success means for you and your business. Being an entrepreneur allows you to be the innovator, to develop your ideas, and follow your passions. This leads to a more rewarding career and ultimately, happier life.

Values behind the businesses

People become more and more aware and vocal about the values that they stand behind. The Internet has given them the power to be proactive, praise and act on what they believe in. Quick research gives them access to information they need to make a decision. For instance, someone concerned about eco-awareness will choose a sustainable clothing brand over a fast-fashion store. The same rule now applies to the way people choose their career. The availability of resources and companies’ online presence gives people an insight into a brands’ values and beliefs, often making it a deciding factor in an employees decision on where to send their resume. From a company point of view, having a set of clear and concrete values can improve employees productivity and retention, as well as helping build a team of people driven by the same principles. In a recent survey, 24% of jobseekers mentioned that company values are a deciding factor in their job search[4]. It proves that the professional world is moving in a direction where a company’s values may matter more than the salary.

Remote work being the norm

2020 showed companies how quickly they need to adapt to the changing reality. It pushed many business owners to rethink their business models and allow more flexibility in their workers working patterns. Some companies decided to reduce their spending by significantly cutting down the office space they use each day, making some departments permanently remote. Those savings can then be allocated towards supporting remote employees' needs such as equipment, furniture, or mental care, creating a positive shift in the employee-employer relation.

According to surveys, the percentage of workers permanently working from home is expected to double in 2021[5]. This can be beneficial not only for the companies, but also for the workers, who don’t waste time on the commute, gain more flexibility in their daily schedules and improved work-life balance, and can even note a rise in their productivity. Businesses deciding to allow fully remote work have access to a much wider employee market, as they are no longer restricted by the geographic proximity of their workers.

Even if fully remote, work will not be adapted in all companies, a hybrid working model will become a norm. By 2025, an estimated 70% of the workforce will be working remotely at least five days a month.[6]

Enjoyed the read? Check out some of the future jobs that your child might not have considered yet by clicking this link.

[1] IPSE (The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed) UK

[2] National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses Limited UK.

[3] Natalie Bidnick Andreas, Digital and Content Marketing Strategist, Business News Daily, 2019.

[4] Accountemps, 2018

[5] Enterprise Technology Research (ETR)

[6] Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, 2019