The Future of Work
UC Berkeley Extension
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the way we worked and the skills we needed to succeed in our respective fields was shifting. Increased reliance on data to inform business decisions. The automation of job duties that made some workers redundant. The value of incorporating sustainability into everyday processes on the bottom line.
And then COVID-19 shut down the world. Racism and inequalities came to dominate every conversation. And as companies grapple with DE&I initiates and engage with a remote workforce, the way we work today looks drastically different than from just a few years ago. What trends, skills, initiatives and equity will we face in the years to come? Each month, we talk with industry leaders in their fields to discuss the changing evolution of the workforce and the skills needed to stay competitive.
And then COVID-19 shut down the world. Racism and inequalities came to dominate every conversation. And as companies grapple with DE&I initiates and engage with a remote workforce, the way we work today looks drastically different than from just a few years ago. What trends, skills, initiatives and equity will we face in the years to come? Each month, we talk with industry leaders in their fields to discuss the changing evolution of the workforce and the skills needed to stay competitive.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 9, 2022 • 33min
Closing the Great Skills Gap With Post-Degree Learning
AI and automation are making some jobs obsolete or creating new jobs. We're also witnessing the great resignation, brought on by myriad reasons. In a McKinsey Global Institute report, "In the United States, we project there are about 17 million people in jobs that may see less demand. Over the eight countries we study in our report, 100 million people may need skills to perform different occupations in growing fields." So if you're thinking about or perhaps in the midst of a career change, you need to get up-to-speed quickly. Or are you being redeployed into a new role at your organization? Here's how and why to build your capabilities. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4iGvQNY Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3owWr9M
May 6, 2022 • 38min
Learning—and Unlearning—With Intent
The World Economic Forum recently declared a reskilling emergency as the world faces more than one billion jobs transformed by technology. No longer an ideal but an expectation, executives and employees must continually refresh their skills to keep up. To do so, continuous professional education is the key. But are you learning with intent? Intentional learners are experiencing all the same daily moments anyone else might, but they get more out of those opportunities because everything—every experience, conversation, meeting and deliverable—carries with it an opportunity to develop and grow. Here's how you can learn with intent. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3XQ0HzB Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3ozWaTE
Apr 7, 2022 • 37min
The Future of Work in Biology Post-Pandemic
If anything positive can come out of this COVID-19 pandemic, it's that the importance of health care professionals is seen as paramount—especially those who were furiously working to develop a vaccine. From understanding how the virus worked, how to mitigate its transmission and how to protect our global population against it, the biologists in the labs became the unknown celebrities of 2021. Their behind-the-scenes work quickly became front-page headlines. And with that flux of attention came a surge of open positions in the biological sector. Jobs in specific occupations—such as epidemiologists, medical scientists, biochemists and biophysicists, and biological technicians—are expected to see strong growth. What is the future of work in this surging area and what does it take to fill the jobs gap? Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4kNDYOw Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3OKE1Nx
Mar 7, 2022 • 33min
Women in Leadership—Overcoming Barriers
According to recent McKinsey research, women-held positions in tech has largely declined in the U.S. during the past 25 years. And yet, companies are reporting a shortage in tech skills as businesses across the spectrum are ramping up their tech capabilities. So what can companies do to not only fill empty positions, but fill them with women and women of color. What can women already in the field do to advance not only their own careers, but that of other females wanting to enter the field? What leadership skills are needed to break those barriers? We talk with Michelle Branner, an expert in helping people build leadership skills, create effective teams and expand their emotional intelligence. She started climbing the corporate ladder in finance and later large tech firms and has been a small-business leader. Now, Michelle is teaching full time at UC Berkeley Extension about workforce development, leadership and making power moves. Read the transcript from this interview @https://bit.ly/3XL2Lc4 Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3qbuuVJ
