Best Practice

The future of jobs: What will work look like in 2034?

Where now for careers advice in a continually evolving world? In a four-part series, Dr David Oxley and Dr Helmut Schuster consider the future of careers and careers advice and students’ transition to the world of work. They begin with some predictions…
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“In 2034, the world will be ruled by a self-aware AI – so should I still aim to be an accountant?”

Making predictions about the future is fraught with difficulty. In 1899, Charles Duell of the US patents office predicted “everything that can be invented has been”. In 1906, composer John Philip Sousa predicted that recorded music would lead to us forgetting how it was made. And in 1922, eminent English lawyer FE Smith predicted we would all live to be 150.

Today, the predictions for 2034 will probably prove to be equally outlandish. There is a long history of outlandish future predictions that fascinate us. We collectively feel anxious about change, particular things beyond our control, so perhaps we are drawn to these prognostications. However far-fetched they may be, they allow us to either laugh or sigh in resignation.

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