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.