Thriving in a changing world as a young professional today

Change is an inevitable part of life.

By learning to accept and to adapt to change, we open up opportunities for growth in our personal, professional and societal lives.

In this blog post, we’ll focus on how you can embrace and navigate change in your professional life.

We will also focus on the importance of embracing diversity in your workplace to ensure that you thrive even in unconventional environments.   

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Evolution of the workplace

The modern workplace is evolving.

What your parents’ generation experienced years ago is completely different from what you get to experience now.

As young professionals today, you face opportunities and challenges that are unique. The modern world is an ever-evolving landscape.

It is imperative to adapt to this ever-changing world in order to thrive and stand out in your respective professions.

Automation

With the rise of automation and AI, the world is experiencing a Fourth Industrial Revolution, as stated by the World Economic Forum.

To stay ahead of it, you must embrace continuous learning.

This will better prepare yourself for these inevitable changes by honing the skills that complement the use of automation and any other innovations brought about by this phenomenon.

Gone are the days where certain skills were only reserved for people in certain professions.

Skills such as coding or programming and data analysis, for instance, are also relevant. These are valuable skills for anyone working in finance or consulting, not just professionals in the tech space.

Technology has heavily shaped the minds and aspirations of young professionals. They will be the driving force of future working generations.

This notable change has also resulted in an expansion in the range of career possibilities for young people. New career paths are being created that didn’t previously exist.

The online availability of information and training has also allowed young professionals to be on a par with some of their peers across the world. This helps reduce inequity based on a person’s location.

You can be exposed to the same information, at the same time, while connecting across various geographical boundaries.

This connectivity fosters and encourages knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The advancement in cloud-based technology also means you can work and collaborate with more people across the world.

Online learning and skills support

Online platforms such as LinkedIn, Udemy and Coursera have enabled young people to gain knowledge and skills they didn’t have access to before. Learning is made more engaging and can be completed at one’s own pace.

Some of the courses on these educational platforms are free of charge. This allows young people from various backgrounds the opportunity to upskill without being restricted by their financial positions.

One example is the free “Introduction to Computer Science” course offered by Harvard University on the edX educational platform.

This gives you the opportunity to be exposed to material from an Ivy League school at your own pace, for free.

Create clear goals and align your purpose

To thrive as a young professional today, you need to be a well-rounded individual. You need professional goals that go beyond just reaching your objectives at work. You need to have an impact.

You want to see the company you work for reflect your values.

If you’re a young entrepreneur, it is imperative to look at your businesses from a “purpose beyond profit” lens too.

Thriving in a changing world also means caring about the things and issues that affect the very same world you exist in.

That’s what more employees and customers expect to see from some of their favourite companies and brands.

If you’re a business leader or owner, you should adapt to these new values because customers no longer purchase the product alone.

Their motivation behind buying the product and affiliating with that specific brand is sometimes based on a much bigger reason.

‘The story’ behind the product and the values carried by that particular company, is what drives their decision, the same applies for when employees make their decision on which company to work for.

Creating a strong purpose is key to successfully bringing both your employees and customers or clients with you.

Network for new opportunities

We live in a world and time where “your network is your net-worth”.

This essentially means that your financial and overall success in life is directly linked to the value of your investment in your personal and professional connections.

Networking as a young professional is extremely important for your overall professional growth.

It allows you the ability to have mentors who will guide you along the way, and also helps build solid connections as you meet new people and peers. Networking also builds your overall confidence.

It shows people that you’re brave and using initiative.

The ability to network successfully makes people aware of who you are and your individual sense of purpose. For employees or clients, this helps them understand your personal story. This helps to build long lasting relationships.

Diversity and thriving in the workplace

Poet Maya Angelou once said, “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength,” and this is also very true in the workplace.

It has been amazing to witness how diverse the workplace has become. More and more people are being represented and given opportunities irrespective of their backgrounds.

The benefits of unlike-minded people

Diversity in teams, in communities, and in the workplace leads to creativity and innovation. There are more minds who can see a situation from different perspectives.

For instance, someone who grew up on a farm will have a different perspective than someone raised in a city.

When there is diversity of thought and people, it can help an organisation better understand the impact of a policy or action on all people involved.

Feeling well represented in spaces and respected, helps you perform even better in your role. This also benefits the company in the long run, while improving your company culture.

Creating diversity people can see themselves in

Diversity spans beyond just being represented and accepted in your race, religion, or other social dynamics.

Diversity also helps to decentralise power. This gives everyone the same opportunities to thrive in their respective spaces.

Having a diverse workforce is imperative in modern business. Consumers want to see their brands reflect the same ideals and values that they do.

Embracing diversity can also improve a companies bottom line. This is then reflected in how well a company meets the needs of its customers.

Elevating women to the c-suite

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have encouraged more women into senior positions. It has been amazing to witness women embrace this and thrive in the workplace.

Over the years we are seeing more and more women in c-suite positions. This shows how progressive gender diversity has been globally.

It also serves as encouragement for younger generations. They are inspired to reach for the same goals. They finally see themselves reflected in senior leadership positions. 

Final thoughts

In summary, there has been immense progression over the years in the professional space.

There’s more access, which also translates to there being more opportunities for young people.

The baton is now in today’s young professionals’ hands.

It’s up to you to continue passing it on and paving the way for future generations, in the same way in which your predecessors did for you.