Evolve or Evaporate

AI is taking some jobs. Before that, computers took some jobs. Before that, automation in factories took some jobs. Before that, offshoring took some jobs. Before that, it was something else taking jobs. There will always be something that makes a portion of today's jobs disappear. 

On the other side of the loss of older jobs is the creation of new jobs. Today's knowledge work economy is so advanced that it looks like magic compared to our economy 50 years ago. 

The skills needed to fully participate in the economy keep changing. We should not assume that we have a place in the economy if we are not constantly updating our skills. Gone are the days where we can expect to do the same thing the same way for years and expect to be handsomely rewarded. 

Upgrading our credentials is great, but this isn't even about credentials. There are enough free resources online for us to enhance our knowledge, skills, and abilities so that we can expand how we deliver value. 

If you're in a skilled trade, this message doesn't apply in the same way (plumbers gonna plumb). If you're not in a skilled trade, after a few years in the same role it's time to start looking over your shoulders. When organizations have to reduce salary, the conversation often starts by discussing the stagnant people. And we don't want to find ourselves in front of a recruiter trying to explain why we've had the exact same responsibilities for the past ten years. Evolve or evaporate.