How to protect your career against the rise of the machines

Future-proofing your job could be an online course away.

Open Universities Australia

Future-proofing your job could be an online course away.

Self-service checkouts, chat bots, driverless cars... automation is already revolutionising the way we live and work, and these changes are only set to increase over the next decade.

A recent study estimated that one in three Aussie jobs could be affected by automation by 2030, with everything from lower-skilled and manual-labour jobs to higher-paying roles such as accounting and real estate brokering in the firing line.

But there’s good news, too. Futurists have predicted that many jobs will simply be redefined rather than disappear completely, and there’s likely to be continued demand for professionals with creative and interpersonal skills, and even job growth in some areas, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

So, while there’s no need to be alarmed about an imminent Terminator-style takeover, it is worth assessing how your career may be affected by automation and putting yourself in the best position to thrive in the future job market – something Open Universities Australia (OUA) is well-placed to help students do.

Offering more than 1,300 subjects across a wide range of disciplines from 12 leading universities, OUA allows students to customise their degrees by combining subjects from multiple universities and gives them the flexibility to continue progressing their career while studying online.

Executive General Manager of University Relationships, Janine Harper, says that it’s OUA’s unique position as Australia’s only online higher education marketplace that enables their students to tailor their study to exactly what they’ll need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.

“Having the flexibility to essentially create your own bespoke degree by combining subjects from multiple universities helps students to ensure that when they graduate they’re armed with a qualification that will set them apart when entering the workforce,” says Ms Harper.

“These days employers are looking for people with a diverse range of skills and perspectives, with soft skills such as communication, creativity and leadership being considered particularly valuable,” she continues.

“So, for example, for a student studying a degree in a high demand industry such as IT, being able to complement the practical with subjects in areas such as communication and psychology can be hugely advantageous.”

OUA alumnus Peta is one of many students who’ve taken advantage of this unique offering to strengthen her career prospects. After working as a TV and theatre writer for 20 years, Peta decided to look into the artificial intelligence (AI) industry when she saw new opportunities emerging. “So much of our daily lives will be impacted by AI in the future,” she says. “So the input needs to be as diverse as possible, and I want be part of that evolution and make a real contribution.”

Peta, who completed subjects in psychology from Macquarie University while studying RMIT’s Bachelor of Information Technology online via OUA, says taking a multidisciplinary approach is a good way to advance a career in AI.

“You have to have a real interest in computer science, but an interest in people and behaviour is also really important,” she says.

“We’re living in an exciting time with a breadth of new opportunities,” says Ms Harper.

“Whilst the concept of emerging technologies and innovation can be daunting, it also creates a myriad of new industries and career possibilities,” she continues.

“Whether embarking on a full degree or single subjects, we really encourage students to consider how their study will set them up to be a step ahead and ready to take on the workforce”.

It’s never too late to study

Set yourself up for the future by studying online with a leading uni. For 25 years, Open Universities Australia has helped students progress their careers, without putting their lives on hold. Explore all your options at open.edu.au or call a friendly student advisor on 13 OPEN

Originally published as How to protect your career against the rise of the machines