How can I better position myself to succeed in today’s economy

that’s all A third of tertiary-educated students report having a great experience at university., according to the 2022 Connected Customer Report. One of the report’s key findings was how students felt about preparation. future of workNearly half (47%) of students reported choosing their institution because of their career prospects, but only 11% felt job-ready. A student who feels well prepared is four times more likely to have a great experience in college. Additionally, almost half (49%) of the students surveyed plan to continue their studies through higher education after graduation.

Making good use of technology to enable flexible learning models was also key to student success. Students with good experiences have easy access to data and resources online (86% good experience and 49% bad experience), services available via mobile (82% vs. 61%), positive reported a better digital experience (81% vs. 36%). %), access to shared platforms (80% vs. 57%), and experiences tailored to their needs (60% vs. 11%). More than half of staff (57%) expect flexible learning to increase in the near future.

Also: How to perfectly answer the “Tell me about yourself” interview question.

To better understand what colleges are doing to prepare students for the jobs of the future, I connected with: Lily Awad, Adjunct Lecturer and Senior Associate Director of FW Olin School of Business at Babson College. I also visited Babson College to meet and collaborate with graduate students. For over 20 years, Babson College has held the #1 Entrepreneurship Ranking for both undergraduate and MBA programs (US News & World Report) and was named the Best College for Business Studies (Money Magazine). I was.

Below are Lily Awad’s advice and observations on how students and professionals can better position themselves for success in today’s economy and tomorrow’s jobs.

Indeed, technology will upend our future. In fact, we are already experiencing this change, especially at work. Just a few years ago we migrated to virtual environments overnight. We learned a lot about ourselves along the way. Most importantly, we can change. Now, and in the near future, we are expected to work with more advanced technologies (robots, cobots, intelligent buildings, etc.). Change is exciting, but sometimes overwhelming. This article provides techniques for keeping workers flexible and adaptable in dynamic times of work.

Is the world of work already human-centric and skills-based? According to the works Futurist Sophie Wade “The new era of work is focused on people as individuals…with their different talents, needs, obligations and motivations.” We call it a “skills-based organization,” where skills, rather than jobs, are used as the basis for decisions about jobs and the workforce. Today, companies are hiring for skills and people are moving to organizations that meet their lifestyle needs.

Our understanding of the world of work is now coming to an endIndeed, the world is changing, and the way we work continues to change as well. Today, we see flattening of organizations, more choice in where to work, organizational investment in innovation and technology, and a business need for specific skills. Upskill and reskill for talent retention.

Another force of change occurs in our lifetime. We don’t know what the future holds, but we may be able to control how we react. It is important to adapt with intention. Humans have adapted since time immemorial. Dr. Rick Potts, paleoanthropologist and director of the Smithsonian Institution, believes:we are the most adaptable species“So, even if the lockdowns, the mandates to work from home and the implementation of new technologies in the time of the coronavirus were difficult for some, it was not impossible.

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What is preparation for the unknown? Practicing how to adapt, perhaps through simulation (future metaverse simulation?), is an important way to prepare. The three-step process outlined here is myself and my colleague Lisa Mesicek And can help people adapt to the future of work:

1. Leveraging self-awareness: At Babson College, students are taught to use Entrepreneurship and Action (ET&A®) to solve problems. The ET&A® Method is used in all areas of campus and within student services. The Graduate Career Development Center designs career education curricula with ET&A® in mind. Students are often asked to start with a personal mission statement. “What’s your reason?” If you have a skill you can use, how can you come up with a job where you can use that skill? Today, career education at Babson College has shifted to prepare students for a variety of work environments. Physical space, work location, and work schedule are becoming more important considerations when applying, negotiating, and accepting jobs.
2. Be foresight: Please understand that things are changing rapidly. You may be able to predict when change will come, but you can also be part of it. For example, if you find yourself in an undesirable work situation, how do you use ET&A® to change it and ultimately design the experience you want? Understanding is an exercise in self-awareness. It is important to have self-awareness and the foresight to anticipate fit in a changing world. But developing foresight is not an easy task. Babson Lisa will be doing a workshop on how to use cases and simulations to prepare for the unknown (stay tuned for Part 2 of this article to see how this is done).
3. Build your community: We value connections with people. Get information to feed your vision, give feedback, and build a community to help you achieve your cause. Start by following thought leaders on social media. Focus on people with access to one-on-one conversations. Being curious and learning how others adapt can help you integrate new strategies, and expanding your network can give you more options for the future.

These three tips are a starting point. In the new year, the Babson Graduate Center for Career Development will test this process in the classroom to keep students attuned to the ever-changing landscape of work. Learn more about how educational institutions can contribute to developing talent.

This article is co-authored Lily Awadis an Adjunct Lecturer and Senior Associate Director at the FW Olin School of Business at Babson College, working with MBA and MS students to design and teach career education curricula.