Indispensable Skills Our Children Will Need to be Successful in The Future

It is our job to provide the indispensable skills our school-age generation will need to be successful. There is no denying that the skills our children will need to be successful in the future will be very different than what is needed today. Nonetheless,it is extremely hard to attempt to prepare our kids for a future that does not yet exist. The rapidly changing technology and the introduction of AI into the workplace ensures that future generations’ work life will be very different. Although no one knows exactly what skills our children will need to do their job, it is still the role of the adults of today to get them ready for the future.

Generation Z is Already Exposing Changes in the Workplace

It is not rare to hear about how Generation Z (born 1996-2013) is extremely difficult to work with. This seems to be due to their values being inherently different than those of their bosses. Hence, this is not a generation of workers that will work themselves into burnout for the profit of someone else. They don’t owe their employer anything.

In addition, Generation Z wants to enjoy what they are doing. Hence, they are opportunists who switch jobs easily and without looking back. They are a generation of side hustlers. Moreover, the internet has brought with it plenty of opportunities for multiple and flexible ways to make money. This lead to a generation that knows how much money they actually need to live and usually doesn’t see why they should make more than what they need. This is in direct contrast with bosses who feel that the employees owe them something.

The Parallels Between the job market and Dating Patterns

Think about the dating scene for Generation Z, and how it can parallel the job market. The late generation had to physically know someone to be able to ask them out. In other words, they were limited by their direct contact circle. They had a few choices to pick from and often settled for the least bad option. It was the same for work. This means, they worked for whatever company they could get into and worked there for their entire career.

Furthermore, it was considered normal to get married and never get divorced. It was normal to start working young and stay in the same place for 30+ years. Questioning the relationship or the job was never an option. Settling was a rule, not an exception.

An Overwhelming Amount of Choice

Now, however, Generation Z is exposed to an overwhelming amount of choices and once they actually choose a partner or a job, they continue to be exposed to more options which makes them doubt their initial choice. This also makes them an anxious generation who sometimes jump the gun on a decision to move rather than stick it out.

This generation wants to enjoy what they are doing which makes them opportunists. By observing the changes between different generations, it is unfathomable to think that school has barely changed. Unfortunately, the school system did not evolve as quickly as the abundance of choice in our society. Consequently, the internet has created a huge shift in how people build relationships and engage with work.

The Current School System Is not Giving our Children the Skills They Will Need

The school system that was created based on standardized tests to quantify the quality of learners is outdated and cannot adequately prepare our children. Standardized testing based on rote memorization is a useless skill in comparison to any others that could be taught.

This is why, educational institutions need to move away from the old-school way of assimilating kids to obey and instead prone skill based learning.

Skills Children will need for Success

If they cannot learn at school then we will need to ensure that they learn it somewhere else. Here is a prediction of what skills the future generation will need to possess to be successful in the workplace.

Empathy

Empathy, so that they can grow together, connect and care for others. There is an increasingly big gap between different classes in society. Therefore, the reasons for being divided are more numerous than ever. If the future generation is equipped with empathy, we can be reassured that they will help each other and continue to attempt to make the world a more positive place.

Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills, so that they can fix and resolve issues we can’t even imagine yet. We don’t know what the future holds. Technology is rapidly changing the way we interact with humans and machines. What jobs will exist in 15-20 years as a result of these changes is hard to predict. One thing is for certain, knowing a bunch of facts without being able to think outside the box probably will not be very useful.

Resiliency

Resiliency, so that they do not give up on themselves, and each other. Being resilient will allow them to persevere through the challenging times. Inventing new things requires trial and error. The understanding that growing and learning is a process and not a quick one-off.

Self Understanding and Confidence

Self-understanding and confidence so that they can carry the message of change that the world so desperately needs. Learning to listen to their intuition and be confident that they know what needs to happen is crucial. They need to be kinder to themselves and find more joy in their daily interactions. They deserve to live stress-free lives and not ever put themselves last.

Communication

Communication, so that they can share and remind us of what really matters in the world. They need to be able to communicate with each other effectively and honestly. We spend too much time trying to spare other people’s feelings, pretending and hiding what really matters. Appropriate communication can save a lot of time and effort.

The School System Needs to Adjust to This New Reality

How is the current school system preparing our teens for the future? It is not, because the skills they will need are so different than those of the past yet school has not adjusted its methods. Think back to the 1950s. The purpose of the school was mostly to create obedient, disciplined workers. Today’s world requires innovation and outside-the-box thinking. The work hierarchy is changing and teamwork is more important. The boss expects members of their team to do their jobs. Moreover, workplace conventions are less rigid than in the past. Flexibility to achieve a better work-life balance is a normal part of working conditions. Working from home and hybrid models mean that obedience is less favored over autonomy.

It is so important to help your teen build these skills for their future. How can you best help foster these in your teen? By modeling them yourself. When you spend time with your teen and connect with them on a deep level, they admire you and learn from you. They learn not from what you say but from what you do. Chances are good that not only will our kids need these skills in the future but so will we.