The Jobs of Tomorrow Are Already Here

Schools must embrace technological innovations and guide students in their use

BY THOMAS S. FERTAL

IT IS MORE IMPORTANT than ever for schools to embrace technological innovations and to guide students in their use.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the job market is constantly adapting to new technologies and industries. The traditional notion of “jobs of the future” is shifting, as many roles that were once considered futuristic are already present and in high demand. While still centered and grounded on the core elements of reading, writing, and arithmetic, schools need to be proactive in preparing students for an ever-changing, high-tech world— not one that they will be entering, but one that they are already in. Some of the fields that are quite appropriate for education curriculum include robotics, esports, and artificial intelligence.

The integration of robotics in education provides a multidimensional approach to learning. Robotics fosters not only students’ technical skills but also nurtures their creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative abilities. Through robotics curriculum or competition, students learn to visualize complex concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Furthermore, robotics education develops coding, design, engineering and problem-solving skills, all applicable skills for the technological workforce.

Esports in education holds invaluable potential for fostering teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital literacy. While mirroring traditional sports in promoting camaraderie and leadership, it uniquely appeals to digitally native students, making education more engaging and relevant. Moreover, esports offers viable career paths in a rapidly growing, $300 million global gaming industry. From professional gaming to game design and coding to “shoutcasting” (the term used for play-by-play announcers at gaming events), careers are numerous and varied. Additionally, gaming methodology extends to other fields such as the military, pharmaceutical research, and healthcare. Coupled with emerging technologies in both virtual and augmented reality, the applications are truly limitless. Esports is a viable and innovative way for a school to bridge the gap between leisure and learning.

In our digital age, the importance of teaching artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be overstated. AI already forms the backbone of many industries, underpinning innovations in healthcare, finance, and engineering, to name a few. Incorporating AI into the curriculum not only enriches learning but also equips students with vital skills for the future. The exploration and use of AI in education fosters computational thinking, problem-solving skills, and digital literacy. Again, these are all essential skills in today’s workforce. Proficiency in the use of AI can lead to employment in a number of fields, and expertise can be quite lucrative. Most people have never heard of a prompt engineer. Prompt engineers are individuals who specialize in asking the right questions of AI in order to extract the desired output. Commonly referred to as “AI Whisperers”, careers in this field can pay well into the six-figure range—even without a college diploma.

The jobs of tomorrow are no longer distant dreams but present-day realities. As technology continues to advance and new employment opportunities continue to emerge, it is crucial for schools to recognize this and prepare students by offering the exploration of, and exposure to, these emerging fields. They need to be integrated into the curriculum where applicable and presented as dedicated learning opportunities when possible.

Thomas S. Fertal is president of Saint Mark’s High School.