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How would you pursue a career in an area of employment where the future of the career isn't ensured?

We can't see into the future, but we can predict it. How would someone pursue a career where the future is unsure? Should the person change their career choice?

career business career-path career-counseling career-choice undecided career-development career-plan
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Ava’s Answer

Hi Jacob,

Great question! Although job security is never guaranteed, these are a couple factors I think would help mitigate your concerns:

1) Is this career path something you're passionate about? The more interest you have in your chosen job, the more you will be invested in your success and learning. In turn, you will become more valuable in your role which typically leads to higher job security.

2) Is the career chosen pivotable? Once you develop a skill set in your job, it is important to focus on continuing education so that if job security were to become an issue, you would have a "back-up plan" and be able to utilize your learned skill sets in another role.

3) Networking - Networking is a crucial aspect of any job. It is essential to build relationships both in the workplace and also with other professionals who may be working in a field you're interested in. As you build these connections, they may be able to help you down the road if you're ever looking to pivot.
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Leila’s Answer

Hi Jacob,

This question is important not just for students planning their careers, but also for those already working. The world is changing fast, and technology offers new ways to do business.

Focus on finding what you're good at and what makes you happy. Look for opportunities around you that solve people's problems. Keep a growth mindset—remember, there's always more to learn, and being open to new experiences is key. Stay flexible to adapt and overcome challenges quickly.

Wishing you all the best!
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Matilde’s Answer

The truth is, no career is ever 100% certain, but that doesn't mean you shouldn’t pursue it—especially if you're passionate about it. It's important to focus on job security, but also focus on the skills you’ll gain along the way.
Even if a particular job role changes or becomes less common, the skills you develop—like critical thinking, adaptability, communication, problem-solving, or tech literacy—will always be valuable and can transfer into other roles or industries.

Also, stay curious and flexible. Learn how your field is evolving, pick up complementary skills, and keep networking. That way, you're not just tied to a single job title—you’re building a foundation that allows you to pivot when needed.
So no, you don’t have to change your career choice just because the future is unclear. Instead, pursue it with a plan to grow continuously. Careers are no longer linear—they’re built through experiences, and every step contributes to your professional maturity.
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Jacob,

I assume you are referring to AI replacing careers. You could always argue that any job could be replaced by AI. While some careers are more susceptible than others, that fear is real and evolving daily.

My advice would be to continue pursuing that career if it is what you love or have a passion for, but with a different approach than others.

Develop your soft skills intensely (communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability). Learn how AI works, and if you can, begin to figure out how AI could best improve the career you are aiming for. Companies that are not using or implementing AI will be left behind. If you become the AI expert in your industry, you will be a valuable asset to any company in your chosen career. I believe the jobs, careers, and industries will always exist, but the people who implement and become experts in AI will be the employees who set themselves apart and will always be in demand.

You've got this! Best!
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Bruna’s Answer

That's a fantastic question! Remember, the future is full of possibilities and always changing, just like we should be. Your career is a journey of constant growth, and learning never ends. It's important to be ready for changes as they come. So, while it's good to think about the future, don't worry too much about what might happen. Stay open and flexible, and you'll be able to handle whatever comes your way. Keep learning and adapting, and you'll do great!
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Melanie’s Answer

Hi Jacob!

I totally get why you're worried. The world keeps changing with all the new technology and automation. It might seem like jobs are disappearing, but that's not always the case. I work at Verizon, the phone company. When I started about 30 years ago, people thought we wouldn't last, but now we're ranked 31 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list. We didn't just stick to phone services; we moved into internet and cable TV. Plus, the wireless market grew, and we made smart moves and partnerships to become a global company. Good leaders can plan for changes and find new paths. While some jobs, like elevator operators, are gone, many jobs don't just vanish—they evolve with technology.

Hope this helps!
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Mai’s Answer

Hi Jacob!
You don’t need to have your whole future figured out right now, focus on building skills, make connections as careers start with a conversation, not a job posting. The people you meet here could become mentors, colleagues—or even open doors later relationships matter. Be open to unexpected paths always stay flexible keep learning, and don’t be afraid to try things outside your comfort zone. You grow by doing.
I hope this helps, Good Luck!!!!!
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Leela’s Answer

This is the eternal question by people of all ages!
You have several great answers here but the key is to
a. Be open to learning
b. Be Adaptable and flexible to changes

As the saying goes " Change is the only constant" so as a mid career professional, I am always preparing myself for something different, something new and ready for a change.
Also some jobs are transferrable across many functional areas.

My only advice to you is stay focused, keep building your skills and be prepared to pivot if required
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Monique’s Answer

Hi Jacob,

That's a great question that I think people in any career are thinking about these days. The job market is constantly evolving , but I think that as long as you keep learning and stay adaptable and continue building your skillset you will always succeed!

I think the key is to stay flexible and proactive!
Keep building transferable skills in the things you're interested in
Network and gain experience through internships, part time work, or side projects.
Stay informed about trends and changes in the field you're interested in so you can adapt or pivot if needed

No matter where the future leads keep following your interests and carve your own path!
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. The demand of different careers change from time to time. The best is to find out what careers you have interest now.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about what you have interest eg your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc and identify the related careers
Eg if you like music, would you like to be a musician, singer, musical artist, music composer, music producer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be an accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 career you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
You interest may change in the future. You may change your career
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
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Mel’s Answer

When chasing a career in a field with an uncertain future, focus on skills that can be used in many jobs. Be adaptable, keep learning, and build a strong network. Stay updated on industry trends and always look for chances to learn and improve.
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Molly’s Answer

Hey Jacob, it's perfectly fine not to have everything sorted out yet! Begin by focusing on the skills that matter most to you and start learning those. Your priorities might shift as you discover more about your career path, and that's completely normal! Having a wide range of skills is a big advantage. Try connecting with people in various fields to learn a bit about each one. This can help you figure out what you enjoy and what you don't, making it easier to decide which skills to focus on first. You've got this!
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Peter’s Answer

You don’t have to avoid a career just because its future isn’t 100% certain. I studied Economics and Quantitative Data Analytics, and even though those fields can shift, I ended up working as a Business Intelligence Analyst — making visualizations every day in PowerBI (which I didn't do at school at all).

My advice is to stay adaptable: keep learning new, in-demand skills and be open to new opportunities as they come. Don’t get stuck thinking you have to follow only one path — being flexible will help you succeed no matter how things change.
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Eddy’s Answer

That's a great and very timely question.

From my experience working in an industry that's being rapidly disrupted by artificial intelligence, I’ve learned that uncertainty doesn’t have to mean powerlessness. It’s true that some roles are changing or even disappearing—but that also means new opportunities are emerging. Rather than immediately changing your career path, it's often more strategic to adapt within your field.

The key is to look for ways AI can enhance your productivity rather than replace you. Learn to integrate AI tools into your daily workflow to streamline tasks, analyze data faster, and produce higher-quality outcomes. This not only makes you more valuable to your employer but also keeps you at the cutting edge of your industry.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to fear disruption—it’s to stay relevant, resilient, and proactive. The people who thrive are usually the ones who see change coming and position themselves to work with it, not against it. So, pursue the career you’re passionate about—but do it with your eyes open and your skills always evolving.
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Anne’s Answer

Hi Jacob! While the world is rapidly evolving, there are certain skills or competencies that will always be valuable - think things like time management, effective verbal communication, and strategic thinking. When you think of the potential careers that interest you, identify the core skills and competencies that will remain valuable. Building and practicing these skills can help you be agile as particular jobs or fields change.

AI and technology have changed my role dramatically in the past few years, but skills like what I mentioned above have remained important. Continuing to develop these, as well as learning new skills, have helped me grow in my own career and also makes me feel prepared as things continue to evolve.

Best of luck to you!
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Shruti’s Answer

Pursuing a career in area of employment may relate to human resources management. Every organisation needs an HR professional, so there is always a career growth if in HR profession. HR is a vast area which includes Recruitment & Selection/Talent Acquisition, HR Generalist/employee life cycle process management, Learning & Development for developing employee training programs and tools, HR Business partnering for performance management, employee engagement, coaching managers and likewise. You can start applying for HR generalist roles within a start up initially to acquire experience over full remit of HR and then grow in specialist roles after you understand which aspect of HR you enjoy the most.
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Kris’s Answer

Rather than focusing on "I think I want to do X job/career," try to think about what it is about your skills/interests/passions that makes you interested in that job or career path. Focusing on your strengths and interests isn't a guarantee that you will find a job that gives you everything you want, but it will definitely make it easier. Furthermore, if you are able to distill what about a career path excites you, you will also be able to see how those threads connect to ostensibly unrelated types of work. That kind of thinking will help you set up for a dynamic lifetime of work where you are ready to seize good opportunities when they come along.
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Jeter’s Answer

Hi Jacob,

You've asked a fantastic question, and it's one I've faced myself. My advice is to follow your passion! Life is too short for regrets, and you never know what opportunities are ahead. I once lost my "dream job," which was tough, but it led me to a new path. It might sound cliché, but everything happens for a reason. I'm grateful for my first dream role because it helped shape who I am today. Since nothing is certain, focus on the present and take the future as it comes.

Wishing you the best,
Jeter
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Ernesto’s Answer

Hello Jacob,

Your question is the common denominator of many students of your age.

There is a predominant sense of anxiety and fear about whether the career they choose will have job prospects.

I think it's important to help you think more realistically.

My extensive experience guiding people in deciding their career paths is what underpins everything I have started to tell you in the paragraphs above.

It is a mistake to choose a professional career thinking about whether there will be job opportunities or if there will be a job market for that career. Why? Because the first thing you need to have in mind is what career you would like to pursue. What type of career do you FEEL CALLED to? What skills do you have for which career? First, answer these questions. Answer these questions with complete honesty. THEN, there is no path, the path is made by walking! There will always be a job market for the career you choose.

Before choosing a career (if you haven't chosen one yet), you need to observe its job market, BUT FIRST your starting point has to be the answer to the question WHO AM I? WHAT DO I WANT TO DO? WHAT DO I LIKE TO DO? WHAT DO I FEEL I AM GOOD FOR? Then, what university degree should I study to unleash everything I feel I can do in life? Once you answer all these fundamental questions with total and absolute honesty, you will begin your studies, AND ONLY DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR STUDIES will you get to know many more job fields and job markets that the career you chose will enable you to enter. During your studies, you need to keep an eye on the job market available for your career and your professional work. And if there start to be some obstacles or dark clouds in the job market for your career, NEVER, NEVER EVER abandon the career you chose. Why? Because if that career you chose REALLY INTERESTS YOU AND IS WHAT YOU HAVE DECIDED TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE, then it is time to explore market niches. The job market has niches that are often unexplored by most people pursuing this or that career. There is the next skill you need to develop during your studies: researching market niches, that is, areas of the job market where perhaps you and a few others are capable of performing your professional tasks.

Don't ask your career to give you a job market. It's the other way around; with your knowledge and research of the job market, you will find that place YOU HAVE TO GO TO BY DOING IT YOURSELF.

I'm going to give you a concrete example. Did Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman know they were going to be outstanding actors when they were studying acting? I don't think so. They both shared a very humble apartment but continued studying what they wanted, which was acting. And they auditioned and auditioned; they never gave up, nor did they quit despite the adversities. Why? Because they evidently liked it, they were passionate about acting. Until one day, guess what? Dustin Hoffman got the opportunity to audition for an independent film: The Graduate. Not only was he chosen, but he shot to stardom. He became a Hollywood star.

Another example. Steve Jobs received an honorary degree from a university. But he never went to college. He dedicated himself to what he was passionate about. And he himself recounted that there were moments in his life when he had no idea what his life would become. He went through hunger and hardship. Until he found the place that catapulted him to what we know him as today. When he received that honorary title, he said, Life is like a dotted line that, when you travel along it, you don't know what you are drawing, but when you look back, you realize that what you drew made perfect sense.

I could give you more examples, but stick with this message: Dream of what you want to BE, and NEVER, NEVER give up.

Each person makes their own path. And there are as many paths as there are humans on the planet. There are no two paths that are the same.

I hope everything I wrote to you didn't bore you and that it is useful for you.

I wish you the best.
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Jackson’s Answer

I've come to find in my life its not what you do, but it's how hard you do it. Nothing is guaranteed. If there is something you enjoy doing it, latch onto it and enjoy the ride as long as you have it. Just make sure to give your all to it.
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Stacey’s Answer

Hi Jacob!

I think you should still pursue your career choice. You always want to align your career with what makes you happy as you will spend most of your time there. Many people complete a degree/tech school/etc. then end up doing something that has nothing to do with that. The world is always evolving. There may be unknown opportunities for you out there!
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