what is the best degree to have in the 21st century

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With the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)  reporting the cosmos of a projected 20.5 million new jobs between 2010 and 2020, at that place's never been a better fourth dimension to brush up your skillset, dust off your resume, and find the perfect career. But the unique needs of technology-driven commerce dictate that certain skills will naturally have greater value than others. If you lot focus your effort on the areas that promise the greatest dividends, you'll likely be rewarded with a handsome payout.

Teaching

The McKinsey & Company consulting firm forecasts that, "by 2020, there will exist a shortage of 1.five million higher grads, which means employers will continue to place a high premium on better-educated workers."

Merely a traditional graduate degree isn't the single artery for advanced pedagogy. It'southward non right for everyone, or every sector. Many emerging careers are better-suited for specialized programs or courses that provide us with the knowledge needed for our specific niche–like social media, digital marketing, and user experience design. For these, 1+ years in a brick and mortar educational institution is non the only choice.

The face of learning has changed–allowing us the opportunity to build our education à la carte, adding elements to increase our edge equally needed, with a minimum of disruption. Flexible programs and altitude learning arrive possible to go along developing professionally while continuing didactics. Many employers even offer tuition assistance programs–they know that your value increases as your skills do, making it a worthwhile effort for you both.

Versatility

In that location'due south a reason the Swiss Ground forces Pocketknife has been going strong for over 100 years. The ability to readily utilise the right tool for the job increases productivity–and the more tools we have, the more easily we can adapt in any situation. In today's job marketplace, that means being able to offer experience and cognition across various fields. As the Institute for the Future describes information technology, "The platonic worker of the side by side decade is 'T-shaped'–they bring deep understanding of at to the lowest degree one field, just take the capacity to converse in the language of a broader range of disciplines." This is music to the ears of career switchers–a growing population, thanks to increasing life spans that will likely see united states of america through multiple careers.

Media Literacy

Continued adoption and understanding of engineering relevant to our field is critical. Our information landscape is evolving constantly, and without making a concerted endeavour to go along up with developments that relate to our work, we're non simply missing out on a vital opportunity–nosotros're creating a scenario where someone else whohas remained savvy will be seen every bit a better candidate for promotions or during the application process. Cultivate an open and curious approach to new tech, and you're bound to grow.

Selective Information Intake

Not surprisingly, this proliferation of technology besides creates a paradox–we need remain current without becoming lost. Author J.D. Moyer wisely suggests adopting an Data Diet–being more selective with the information we eat past increasing quality and reducing quantity–in society to remain focused. Appraise the means in which you spend your time and energy in this area, effigy out what has the almost value for you, and permit the remainder go every bit needed. Reddit volition go on without you for a day or two, they hope.

Time Management

Along the same lines, the ability to upkeep our fourth dimension and recognize the areas where information technology'south slipping through our fingers is paramount. There are countless strategies and tools that aim to increase our productivity through time management. There'southward MindMeister for visually inclined free-form thinkers, Grid Analysis for those who reply to straightforward spreadsheet-fashion breakdowns, and StayFocusd (which blocks or times our use of time-sucking sites) for those of usa who just need a good, onetime-fashioned nag every at present and and then to stay on job.

Virtual Collaboration

With more piece of work existence done remotely (in whole or in function), beingness an effective collaborator has taken on new dimensions. In a thought-provoking report on the Future Work Skills of 2020,  The Institute for the Future cites the importance of the "power to work productively, drive engagement, and demonstrate presence as a member of a virtual team."  IFTF points to Yammer, "a private social network that helps employees collaborate across departments, locations and business apps," every bit ane of the tools that can facilitate collaboration for modern teams.

There'south 1 common thread that emerges every bit nosotros analyze the recommendations of experts when it comes to job skills of the future–only it'due south aught new. Evolution and adaptability are the foundations of survival for our species and have been since long before social media, or even Swiss army knives. Competing in the modern workplace is no exception. Our tools and methods may be different, but the goal is the aforementioned–and uniquely human. Nosotros're still continually striving to move forrad, make innovations, and exist the best possible versions of ourselves.

Looking to evolve? Consider trying i of our workshops, courses, or immersives to get ahead.

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