Building a Life that Reflects Who You Are in the Age of AI

Career development isn't a single choice you make as an adult. It is a lifelong journey that begins the moment you first engage with the world as a child. Every interaction becomes a lesson, shaping who you are and who you can become (Illeris, 2018; Cenci & Prendergast, 2022). Behind the scenes, your brain is constantly adapting, thanks to its extraordinary neuroplasticity, an ability to reorganise and grow to meet life's twists and turns (Merzenich, 2021). Whether you are standing at a crossroads in life or just starting out, this is your moment. Read on to discover how you can take control of your future and build a life that truly reflects who you are.

Foundation and Pillars of a Career

The career journey unfolds in stages. Using the metaphor of building a house, we start by laying the foundation, then position the pillars, and finally construct the life we aspire to live. Foundational skills such as language and numeracy give rise to deeper abilities to communicate, think critically, and empathise (OECD, 2023; Voogt & Roblin, 2012). These abilities are the pillars that support both personal and professional development. When the pillars are strong, we are equipped to pursue career paths that truly resonate with us.

Each stage of the career journey matters, as a solid foundation and well-set pillars make it easier to build a fulfilling life. Some people reach adulthood only to realise that parts of their foundation are incomplete, or their pillars are not strong enough. This can be discouraging and appear to end the journey. It need not be that way because of our brain's capability to adapt and reorganise (Doidge, 2015; Merzenich, 2021).

Lifelong Learning and Reinvention

Career development mirrors the patient and intentional work of a farmer tending crops. A farmer understands that growth takes time, attention, and the right conditions. Our education system reflects this principle. Primary and secondary schooling establish the foundation and pillars, while tertiary education deepens our expertise (Super, 1990; Savickas, 2021).

For those whose education was disrupted or incomplete, the lack of a qualification may create an impression that the journey has ended. This is more a perception, mainly because formal education is seen as a measure of success. History, however, proves otherwise. People like Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg abandoned their traditional educational pathways. Their stories stand as compelling evidence that schools and universities are not the only places of learning. These stalwart business leaders took on life as their personal tutor, learning the skills and knowledge to revolutionise their industries. Their example shows that the future can be just as bright for those who have had a rough start with education.

For most of us, the idea of a career is associated with employment. Pivot for a moment and consider entrepreneurs. For them, career is a much broader idea that encapsulates their passion and life's endeavour. They tend not to be attached to a particular career pathway, as successful entrepreneurs develop, sell, and restart enterprises. Seeing through the entrepreneurial lens, a career can be started, ended, and restarted whenever we choose. This is possible in the modern world, following the advent of AI, where knowledge is commoditised and easily accessible via an AI portal. At our end, we need to strengthen our foundation and pillars, and life will offer us opportunities.

The AI era is advantageous to those of us who are late in discovering their passion. Once we know which skills are required to fulfil our passion, we can seek opportunities to upskill. This is possible as learning is a capacity that persists throughout adulthood (Illeris, 2018; OECD, 2023). Hence it is never too late to start or upgrade one's career. With awareness, support, and a willingness to invest in oneself, it is possible to reinvigorate our foundation and strengthen our pillars at all stages of life.

The AI Era: New Dimensions of Growth

As we move deeper into the AI era, the career journey takes on new turns. Organisations are rapidly adopting AI technologies, redefining the opportunities available. Yet this shift does not replace the foundation-and-pillar model; rather, it reinforces it. AI amplifies the importance of strong foundational capabilities such as communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning (Bughin et al., 2021; World Economic Forum, 2023). These are the skills that allow us to work alongside intelligent systems and keep advancing our career.

What employers need can be broadly classed as Implementation, Unification, Communication, and Imagination. Each is a level above the other and requires a unique set of skills, offering greater opportunities. While domain knowledge will get us into the interview room, it is our skills that get us hired. In the AI-enabled world, these skills become even more powerful to navigate change and shape careers that align with our aspirations.

Concluding Thoughts

Career development is not just about acquiring a profession. It is about cultivating an identity that reflects our values and aspirations. It does not end when we exit the education system; rather, it is an ongoing process of defining and redefining who we are, what we value, and how we want to contribute to the world. No matter where we begin, there are ways to grow, rebuild, and move towards a future that is meaningful for both us and the world around us.

References

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