9 answers
3
Questions
Updated
840 views
Should I start learning more diverse skills or perfect ones I have learned already?
Junior in Highschool
Login to comment
9 answers
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Yan Fang. If you already have skills you enjoy and are good at, spending time improving them can be very rewarding. Mastering a skill can help you stand out in college applications, competitions, or future jobs. For example, if you love coding, writing, or playing an instrument, focusing on getting better at it can show your dedication and passion. Colleges and employers like to see commitment, it shows that you can stick with something and grow over time.
At the same time, learning new and diverse skills can open your mind to new ideas and opportunities. You never know when a new skill might connect with something you already know and help you discover a new passion. For example, if you're good at art and start learning design or technology, you might find a creative path that mixes both. Having a range of skills also helps you adapt to new challenges, which is very useful in today's world.
The best approach is to do both in balance. Keep improving the skills you already care about, but also leave time to explore new ones. Try different classes, clubs, or online tutorials to see what interests you. All the best.
At the same time, learning new and diverse skills can open your mind to new ideas and opportunities. You never know when a new skill might connect with something you already know and help you discover a new passion. For example, if you're good at art and start learning design or technology, you might find a creative path that mixes both. Having a range of skills also helps you adapt to new challenges, which is very useful in today's world.
The best approach is to do both in balance. Keep improving the skills you already care about, but also leave time to explore new ones. Try different classes, clubs, or online tutorials to see what interests you. All the best.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I have had the privilege of working with many successful students over the past three decades, and I think I can provide some insight regarding the path that many of them took to becoming a successful and avoiding the future onset of the “AI Revolution.”. I tend to agree with David Epstein's conclusions in his book "Range" where he concluded that successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters and scientists, and most other fields, were generalists, and not specialists. Basically, they had a wide diversity of skills, that could be transferred into a wide range of occupations and professions.
Generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see. In todays world, it is an advantage to be strong or talented in many different fields, so if one disappears, as a result of AI, you can slide into another without any disruptions in your career path.
For example, if you look at athletics, you will observe that Epstein was correct in his observations, when he uses the example of tennis star Roger Federer. He uses the contrasting examples of Roger Federer and Tiger Woods to illustrate this point. Federer, explored various sports as a young athlete before eventually focusing on tennis, which exemplifies the benefits of a broad background, while Woods, who specialized early in golf, represents the traditional "specialist" path.
Federer practiced and participated in skiing, wrestling, swimming, skateboarding, basketball, handball, table tennis, badminton, and soccer. He really could have done a variety of directions, before he decided to focus on tennis.
Many successful people do not specialize in one sport, instead they did several sports, which allowed them to eventually excel in one. I have also observed that world class cyclists, tend to also be world class speed skaters, and it is not unusual for these athletes to win Olympic medals in both sports. Eric Heiden is a good example of this. Yes, we remember that he won five gold medals at the Winter Olympics in speed skating, but he also was a world class cyclist, who rode in the Tour de France.
Epstein concluded that the generalists are going to be the ones who will eventually rule the AI driven world. So, my recommendation, is to become a generalist, and become proficient and obtain an education and certifications in a variety of different occupational skills, to protect yourself from future AI specialization.
Here are some examples of future AI resist occupations, that you might become proficient in:
*Healthcare: Occupations like doctors, nurses, therapists, and mental health counselors are safe due to the need for empathy, patient care, and human connection.
*Skilled Trades: Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters require physical labor, hands-on problem-solving in dynamic environments, and in-person customer interaction that AI cannot copy or replicate.
*Creative and Strategic Roles: Occupations like artists, musicians, writers, strategists, and lawyers and judges, need a high degree of creativity, judgment, and cultural understanding that AI currently cannot produce.
*Human Services: Social workers, counselors, and community organizers rely on empathy and understanding complex human dynamics, making them resistant to AI programs.
*Education: Teachers and and instructors require human-to-human connection, mentorship, and adaptability to varied learning needs.
Generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see. In todays world, it is an advantage to be strong or talented in many different fields, so if one disappears, as a result of AI, you can slide into another without any disruptions in your career path.
For example, if you look at athletics, you will observe that Epstein was correct in his observations, when he uses the example of tennis star Roger Federer. He uses the contrasting examples of Roger Federer and Tiger Woods to illustrate this point. Federer, explored various sports as a young athlete before eventually focusing on tennis, which exemplifies the benefits of a broad background, while Woods, who specialized early in golf, represents the traditional "specialist" path.
Federer practiced and participated in skiing, wrestling, swimming, skateboarding, basketball, handball, table tennis, badminton, and soccer. He really could have done a variety of directions, before he decided to focus on tennis.
Many successful people do not specialize in one sport, instead they did several sports, which allowed them to eventually excel in one. I have also observed that world class cyclists, tend to also be world class speed skaters, and it is not unusual for these athletes to win Olympic medals in both sports. Eric Heiden is a good example of this. Yes, we remember that he won five gold medals at the Winter Olympics in speed skating, but he also was a world class cyclist, who rode in the Tour de France.
Epstein concluded that the generalists are going to be the ones who will eventually rule the AI driven world. So, my recommendation, is to become a generalist, and become proficient and obtain an education and certifications in a variety of different occupational skills, to protect yourself from future AI specialization.
Here are some examples of future AI resist occupations, that you might become proficient in:
*Healthcare: Occupations like doctors, nurses, therapists, and mental health counselors are safe due to the need for empathy, patient care, and human connection.
*Skilled Trades: Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters require physical labor, hands-on problem-solving in dynamic environments, and in-person customer interaction that AI cannot copy or replicate.
*Creative and Strategic Roles: Occupations like artists, musicians, writers, strategists, and lawyers and judges, need a high degree of creativity, judgment, and cultural understanding that AI currently cannot produce.
*Human Services: Social workers, counselors, and community organizers rely on empathy and understanding complex human dynamics, making them resistant to AI programs.
*Education: Teachers and and instructors require human-to-human connection, mentorship, and adaptability to varied learning needs.
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Yan Fang,
It is always good to learn new skills and perfect the ones that you are already good at. Depending on what type of career or field that you want to pursue there will be numerous skills that will be important for your progression not only as a professional but as a person as well. I would suggest to keep on being yourself, working on progressing as a person, progressing on your skills and keep being on curious when it comes to what you want. Best of luck to you in your future!
It is always good to learn new skills and perfect the ones that you are already good at. Depending on what type of career or field that you want to pursue there will be numerous skills that will be important for your progression not only as a professional but as a person as well. I would suggest to keep on being yourself, working on progressing as a person, progressing on your skills and keep being on curious when it comes to what you want. Best of luck to you in your future!
Updated
Kim’s Answer
One person cannot be all things to all people. Normally, what makes for a good workplace is when the employees bring different strengths to the team, and together, there is nothing they cannot accomplish.
An example. I was a police officer. Whenever officers needed help writing a "sticky" report or answering a formal complaint, they would come to me. When I had to handle the routine 18-wheeler stuck under the bridge, I'd get help from Officer Robert. And when there were live power lines down and I needed to know where I could safely route vehicle and pedestrian traffic, I contacted Officer James.
A lot depends on the type of work you intend to pursue. It's great to have something that you shine at. But, you cannot neglect other essential skills. You can't be a great presenter if you aren't current in the applicable technology - speaking skills alone won't open doors for you. You need to be proficient in everything, but you need to be best of the best in something.
Hope this helps!
An example. I was a police officer. Whenever officers needed help writing a "sticky" report or answering a formal complaint, they would come to me. When I had to handle the routine 18-wheeler stuck under the bridge, I'd get help from Officer Robert. And when there were live power lines down and I needed to know where I could safely route vehicle and pedestrian traffic, I contacted Officer James.
A lot depends on the type of work you intend to pursue. It's great to have something that you shine at. But, you cannot neglect other essential skills. You can't be a great presenter if you aren't current in the applicable technology - speaking skills alone won't open doors for you. You need to be proficient in everything, but you need to be best of the best in something.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a very good question.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Given you are still young and haven't learnt much essential skills, I suggest you start to learn more diverse skills first.
2. Try to learn more the essentials skills, eg communication, time management, sports skills, eg swimming, cycling, ball games, etc., first aid, etc.
3. These skills are essential in your lifetime. you can then find out what you have interest
4. You can focus on the skills you have interest afterwards
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Given you are still young and haven't learnt much essential skills, I suggest you start to learn more diverse skills first.
2. Try to learn more the essentials skills, eg communication, time management, sports skills, eg swimming, cycling, ball games, etc., first aid, etc.
3. These skills are essential in your lifetime. you can then find out what you have interest
4. You can focus on the skills you have interest afterwards
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hello! It's great you're interested in developing your skills. I think it would be most beneficial to develop the skills you have already been working on. While it's good to be proficient in many things, if you diversify yourself too much, you won't really be great at any one thing. It's important to spend the most time on a smaller set of skills, but you can still practice or work on other skills as well. Especially if there is a new skill you have uncovered.
I agree with the other respondents of your question, having a set of mastered skills will help you stand out and give you a competitive advantage. It'll also show your dedication towards perfecting something!
I agree with the other respondents of your question, having a set of mastered skills will help you stand out and give you a competitive advantage. It'll also show your dedication towards perfecting something!
Updated
David’s Answer
Being an expert in an area will make you stand out in whatever you choose to do. At the same time, it is important to have all of your essential skills at least at a certain level so they don't become "fatal flaws." So I would recommend you find the one skill you are best at that you enjoy most, and continue to build that skill as much as you can while, at the same time, identify any areas you may have significant weaknesses in and ensure you build those skills at least to a passable level.
Melissa D Goldsmith, SIP, CST, MMT, MLD-C, NCTMB, LMT, RYT
Professional Massage Therapy and Rolfing
3
Answers
Updated
Melissa D’s Answer
Instead of just getting a general education, focus on what makes you unique. Specializing in a few key areas can help you stand out and be proud of your skills. In my experience, having a niche has helped me define my role in my community and differentiate myself from competitors. When I introduce myself, I highlight my specialty, which helps attract more people to my business. It takes effort to educate others about what sets you apart, but it can lead to increased interest and foot traffic.
Updated
Myeshia’s Answer
Hi Yan, you've received some great advice here, and I want to add to it. Focus on improving the skills you already have. When I see people who help me at businesses or provide services, I'm always impressed by their expertise and talent. Watching them work makes me think about the time and effort they put into becoming experts. They represent their companies so well, and that's the power of mastering your skills. Keep going, and you'll get there too!