The emerging careers to watch in 2022

The pandemic has changed not only how we work, but what we do. While the healthcare industry experienced a demand surge, other jobs become automated or digitised, and made way for emerging industries to offer a snapshot into the future of our global workforce. So, if you’re deciding on a study path or looking for ways to future-proof your career, here’s an overview on the key factors shaping our workforce, and the industries to watch.   

What’s changed about where and how we work?

It’s no surprise that the pandemic accelerated an uptake in remote working, as workplaces moved to cloud operations and teams worked entirely from home. The success of remote working was such a success for some companies that some, such as Twitter and Google, made working-from-anywhere a permanent option for most of their employees. The flexibility that comes with remote working - be it permanent or a hybrid set-up with some office time - has ensured professionals can recalibrate their work-life balance and also seek opportunities in other corners of the globe, with online conferencing and virtual collaboration transcending geographic boundaries.

For every success story, digitisation and automation has also made human employment in some sectors redundant. A 2021 study from McKinsey found that 25% more workers than previously estimated may need to look at other occupations as their current jobs become automated. Although some jobs have been made redundant, opportunities to transfer skills to a digital landscape have also presented themselves, in fields such as customer service and product management.

These last two years have also seen a 17.4% YOY rise of the ‘Gig Economy’, comprising independent freelancers (‘solopreneurs’) who work on short-term contracts. As the global solopreneur community grows, so too do the collaborative spaces for them to work and network. Our The Social Hub Coworking spaces serve as dynamic offices where individuals can network, share their ideas and still reap the benefits of an office environment while working on their individual businesses (you can find out more about our incredible spaces and awesome entrepreneurial community here!)

Work values have also changed drastically in recent years when it comes to organisational purpose and the skills that are valued and in demand from employees. Nine in 10 employees believe companies should focus on positively impacting the planet as much as they focus on profit - especially in a post-pandemic world. This impact can manifest in a multitude of ways, from more sustainable operations to giving back to local communities, so long as there’s an overarching culture of profit over purpose. (If you’re curious about our own sustainability initiatives, you can read about them here.)

We’re also seeing a global shift in the value and demand for ‘soft skills’ - that is, skills that cannot be measured by formal qualifications, but rather experience. A recent study published by the World Economic Forum found that skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, flexibility, and resilience will see a surge in demand over the next five years. To meet this demand for future-focused skills many companies have established personal and professional development programs for employees, be it a subscription to e-learning sites such as Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning, to in-person workshops to build confidence and manage stress.

Where are the jobs?

So, with the above factors in mind, which industries are the ones to watch? We’ve broken down the key sectors on the rise.

1. E-Commerce

The global e-commerce industry has grown two to five times faster than before the pandemic. That growth will likely continue as 75% of consumers said they will continue to shop online when things return to ‘normal’. Is there even a need for humans in the e-commerce world, we hear you ask? Sure, automation has made things easier for sales and consignment fulfillment, but there is huge demand for talent across website and UX design, marketing, customer service, product managers, business analysts and more.

2. Change management

If you aren’t familiar with change management, the work involves creating plans and approaches to help teams and companies prepare for and make big organisational change. Change management has been around for decades, but it’s experiencing a renaissance as workforces worldwide evolve to hybrid or entirely remote operations. Change managers are responsible for communication and management of the change process, and support employees and management where needed be it emotional support or retraining.

Change management typically crosses over with human resources, communications or organisational psychologist roles, and the job typically ensures that communication lines stay clear and all remote staff are equipped with what they need to maintain consistent productivity.

3. Diversity & inclusion 

Tying in with workplace wellbeing and support is inclusivity. LinkedIn reports that hiring for diversity and inclusion roles has increased by more than 90 percent since 2019 as managers make it a priority for their businesses. Diversity and inclusion specialists are charged with ensuring companies and organisations remain compliant with legal and moral obligations for recruiting a diverse workforce and ensuring employees are recognised and supported appropriately in their workplace environment. It’s a great area of work where you can make real positive impact on your workplace and colleagues.

4. Engineering

Engineering is such a broad industry, but there are two sectors to watch. The first is tech engineering, which is entering a new and exciting phase as we approach what has been dubbed as a new era of the Internet: the metaverse. Tech engineering focuses not only on developing the hard and software we need to work, socialise and unwind in a virtual space, but also data engineering to improve digital experiences.

Another sector on the rise is renewables. Global renewable energy jobs grew from 11.5 million in 2019 to 12 million in 2020, with that number climbing as concern for our climate and sustainable practices grows more urgent. Engineers are in demand for a variety of applications, from solar technologies to developing solutions for environmental issues such as soil erosion and water pollution.

5. Digital transformation

The migration to remote work put tech workers in high demand during the pandemic, and with increase interest in the metaverse, blockchain technologies and elevated virtual experiences, it looks like the industry will continue to grow rapidly. Digital transformation of workplaces, institutions, operations, and experiences involves a spectrum of digital specialists, from web developers to digital marketers, game developers, digital engineers, cybersecurity experts and digital data analysts.

6. The care economy

While digital-first thinking is commonly associated with jobs of the future, industries such as healthcare will always require face-to-face interaction at some level. Healthcare workers took centre stage during the pandemic and that momentum is unlikely to change as the world grapples with the after-effects of Covid-19 and an ageing population. Even as internal record systems, admin services and even patient consultations go digital and virtual, there will always be a need for first responders, aged care workers, on-site doctors and nurses to provide the most personalised and quality care possible.

Finding work

The key to hunting down those job opportunities starts with exposure, whether that means completing an internship in your chosen field during or after your studies, or finding opportunities to network with industry experts to build your profile. Our community of coworkers at The Social Hub is a great place to start, where you can attend networking events, work on your next big idea and collaborate with creative minds from all around the world!

Whatever path you choose, it’s important to align yourself with an organisation that matches your values and invests in professional and personal development. If you’re looking for a place to start your career we have a handy internship database that we update regularly. And if you’re keen to work with us, check out our job openings here!