In an economy evolving at breakneck speed, the shelf-life of a career has never been more fragile. What once felt stable and future-proof is now at risk of being swept away by an unrelenting wave of automation and artificial intelligence.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 delivers a stark warning: half of the global workforce will need reskilling by 2027, with routine jobs projected to shrink by as much as 30% in the next decade.
Even education is not spared. Degrees that once guaranteed security: general business, basic engineering, humanities, are rapidly losing their market value. As industries race to modernise, many academic pathways simply cannot keep up. Meanwhile, the world is tilting sharply toward skills that power the future. AI, cybersecurity, climate technology, healthcare, and data analytics are skyrocketing in demand.
A career landscape rewritten
Nadim Choudhury, Director of Employability and Careers at London College of Contemporary Arts coaches students to help them graduate with clarity and confidence about their direction. Describing the current career landscape, he said, “Young people are entering a world where careers are shaped rather than chosen, and mid-career professionals often need to reinvent themselves while juggling real-life commitments… people who can read context, adapt their voice and connect with others will thrive.”
About careers that are becoming more relevant and those at risk, he shares that roles that blend creativity and technology are becoming increasingly important including user experience, ethical AI, digital content and entrepreneurship. Roles based purely on routine data processing are at greater risk of automation.
A LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report reveals 64% of professionals believe their current skills will be outdated within five years, while the CIPD notes that one in six UK workers has already faced redundancy, often due to technological disruption.
“However, emotional intelligence remains the strongest career safeguard. I often say to students: your ability to understand people will outlast any piece of software. The subtle things matter -how you listen, how you present and how you build trust in different contexts”, Nadim said.
What should students prioritise when choosing their course or career path, you ask? According to Nadim, it is all about understanding how you like to work and what brings out your best self. “Many students choose a course because it “sounds interesting” but cannot explain the person they want to become. The mistake is thinking that a degree alone builds a career,” he said.
Early education matters
A important question is how early should the career orientation start? According to Simon Arnell, Principal at Avanti House Secondary School, career exploration should begin as early as possible.
Giving an example of Avanti House, he stresses tailoring careers education to each stage. He said, “For younger students, it’s about building self-awareness, understanding strengths, and getting a broad sense of the world of work. From Year 10 onwards, the focus naturally shifts to specific pathways, entry requirements and informed decisions about post-16 and post-18 options.
“Schools have a vital role to play in opening doors and helping students connect their education to the real world.”
So, at what level should students balance their interests with realistic, employable skills and how can schools help? Arnell said, "We believe students should absolutely pursue their interests and passions, but they should do so with access to clear, unbiased and up-to-date information. Part of our responsibility as educators is to help students understand both their aspirations and the practical steps needed to achieve them.”
What do employers really want?
Nadim puts it simply: technical skills may get you through the door, but human connection is what builds a career. In an era ruled by digital systems and AI, he says the real differentiators are almost old-fashioned; the ability to read a room, shift your tone, sense the mood, and understand context. “Employers increasingly tell me they’re searching for emotional intelligence, presence, and confidence,” he explains. “These qualities stand out more now than ever.”
He believes vocational routes, apprenticeships and micro-credentials have never been more relevant , not just for employability, but for building confidence and identity. “Employers aren’t impressed by a list of modules anymore,” Nadim says. “They want proof of capability. Vocational learning gives students real examples to use in interviews. And micro-credentials work best when they strengthen your direction, not scatter it.”
His advice for every graduate? “Learn Power BI. The ability to turn complex data into clear decisions is one of the most in-demand skills in the market.”
