7 professions and occupations of the future
- January 19, 2021
Throughout history, the evolution of culture, society and the economy has led to the demise and birth of a countless number of professions and jobs. Now, at the threshold of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the new technologies are becoming increasingly prominent in the labour market and people will have to adapt to this new reality by developing new professions and occupations. A new world of opportunities that places the spotlight on the technological transition we’re witnessing. What will be the most in-demand occupations and professions in the future? Let’s start our particular science fiction journey that lies just around the corner.
Big Data Expert
One of the side effects of the age of information is the production of a huge amount of data; these sets of information can occupy up to several petabytes, in other words, several million gigabytes. This morass of data conceals patterns, behaviours, trends and other resources that enable experts to predict situations and thus anticipate future scenarios. Being able to manage and interpret Big Data is and will be one of the chief skills required by large companies. Information is power, as Francis Bacon said.
Nano-medic
Nanotechnology, although still in its infancy, is now a reality. What does this speciality consist of? Broadly speaking, nanotechnology is the study and handling of matter on a nanometric scale, namely, to give us an idea, the manufacture of objects 1,000 times smaller than the thickness of a sheet of paper. The applications of this technology are almost infinite, ranging from the creation of nanoparticles to eliminate contaminating materials and substances to the implementation of nanorobots for diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases. In the near future, nanomedicine will be a common technique that will require professionals and specialists who are able to apply it.
Tissue Engineer
Tissue culture is a technology that’s rapidly evolving. Although it’s true that the first artificial kidney was created in 1944, new biotechnology techniques are enabling us to begin dreaming of the opportunity to create organs à la carte. This is what tissue engineers are working on, but it’s still too early to imagine this technology. In the future, it will be possible to order a liver, a finger or another part of the body and incorporate it into our organism.
3D Printing Chef
The world of 3D printing is undergoing significant expansion and development and we can currently see constructions such as houses made using this technology, but one of the segments in which it’s expected to leave its mark is gastronomy. Back in 2011, two engineers at MIT presented a food printer concept known as Cornucopia. This printer, in simple terms, worked by printing and cooking food by layers. We don’t know whether the chefs of the future will be robots or androids, but what we do know is that food printing will be one of the main ways of cooking in the 21st century.
Renewable Energy Farmer
If there’s one thing that a large part of humanity agrees on, it’s the need to commit to sustainable energy sources. The time when oil was the chief economic indicator isn’t over yet, but its days are numbered. Large sectors such as the car industry are taking giant steps to replace fossil fuels with electricity, measures that will lead to an increase in the demand for this kind of energy. The advances in technology will bring about the large-scale production of renewable energies such as wind and photovoltaic power for small investors. All we will need is a favourable climate, which won’t be a problem in our country, and sufficient land for the installation of windmills and photovoltaic panels. It’s quite possible that in the future we’ll see another kind of farmer who’ll shift from tonnes of production to kilowatts of electricity.
Extinct Species Ressurector
One of the most worrying trends that’s confirmed with the passing of each year is the extinction of animal and plant species. There are currently around 5,200 species that are in danger of disappearing, an alarming prospect that seems unlikely to improve in the future. To alleviate this situation and to attempt to reverse it, there are various initiatives seeking to create a kind of genetic Noah’s Ark to preserve the DNA of species that have become extinct or that are on the verge of doing so. With the evolution of genetic technologies, it will be possible to bring these animals and plants back to life. Directly or indirectly recovering the biological diversity that has been exterminated stands a good chance of success within a few decades.
Quantum Specialist
One of the numerous revolutions we’re still on the verge of is the one that quantum mechanics will bring. This new paradigm, which is now beginning to develop in quantum computing, for example, focuses on the atomic and sub-atomic states of matter, seeking to understand the physical laws that govern them. Understanding these new rules of the game will lead to the creation of computers with an infinitely greater capacity for calculation. To put it simply, today’s computing is based on a flow of bits, binary pulses that can only be 1 or 0. Quantum computing uses qubits or sub-atomic particles that can be 1, 0 or 1 and 0 at the same time. This feature is called quantum superposition and it enables us to simultaneously generate large computational power. The implementation of this new technology will require professionals specialising in quantum mechanics and its applications in people’s daily lives.
These are just some of the professions that will triumph in the not too distant future; although it all seems like something out of a science fiction film, it’s the future that awaits us. If you know of any more, feel free to add them in the comments section.
People First es un espacio de inspiración donde compartimos contenidos con un eje común: las personas. Desde distintas ópticas y sectores, abordamos varios temas, tendencias y noticias de interés humano.
