3 Life Skills Young People Need

More and more, “hiring managers are less concerned with industry experience and technical skills than they once were”, revealed an article by Gartner, a technological research and consulting firm. The fourth trend of the future of work in 2023 is the “pursuit of non-traditional candidates”, said the author. The workplace is reinventing itself. What are some adjustments that can be taken to be well prepared?

• Be a self-taught learner 

• Embrace technology

• Stay agile

• Develop a growth mindset

• Build your network

• Cultivate soft skills 

Young people need guidance to develop these skills.

 

We will consider three skills that they need to learn now: be a self-taught learner, embrace technology, and cultivate soft skills.

1.  Be a self-taught learner

Being a self-taught learner means taking responsibility for your own learning and seeking out knowledge and skills through independent study, experimentation, and practice. Summarize as upskills and reskills. This approach to learning requires self-motivation, discipline, and a willingness to take risks and make mistakes. 

Self-taught learners are often driven by a passion for a particular subject or field, and they are willing to invest the time and effort required to master new concepts and skills. While self-taught learning can be challenging, it can also be highly rewarding, as it enables individuals to pursue their interests and goals on their own terms. Self-taught learners often use a variety of resources, including books, online courses, tutorials, and communities of like-minded individuals, to support their learning journeys.

How to adapt

• Create a learning plan. Start by setting clear learning goals, identifying the resources and tools you need to achieve those goals, and creating a timeline for your learning journey. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps, and regularly asses your progress to stay on track.

• Seek out communities. Whether that's through online forums, social media groups, or local meetups, seek out communities of like-minded individuals who share the same passions than you. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your own experiences and motivation, and feedback as you pursue your self-taught learning journey.

2.  Embrace technology

Embracing technology means being able to adapt to new technologies as they emerge, and recognizing the benefits and limitations of different tools and platforms. This can provide opportunities to access new information and resources and connect with others. Although, it's important to approach technology use in a balanced way, prioritizing digital well-being and maintaining healthy habits around screen time and device use.

Being able to learn new software and apps, and understanding how to use digital tools to automate and solve problems can be relevant for to highlight future job search.

How to adapt

• Attend workshops or training. At school or community centers, you can find low-cost or free classes on any topics from coding to digital literacy. These classes might play a vital role in boosting one's confidence. Also, you may get different solutions to a problem when attending workshops as there are other participants who might have better approach than yours. Yes, learning this way can be very enriching!

• Seek out feedback. Technology has made it than ever to connect with others who share your interests and passions. Engage in online communities and platforms such as forums, social media groups, and virtual events to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from experts in your field. You can also use these platforms to share your knowledge and insights, build your personal brand, and gain exposure to new ideas and perspectives.

Read more: Learn to Program—A Worthwhile Goal

3.  Cultivate soft skills

Building soft skills is an important part of life and learning them early can set young ones up to thrive in the future. These skills include teamwork, speaking confidently in front of crowds, problem-solving, adaptability, time management, networking, and emotional intelligence.

They are increasingly valued by employers and are essential for success in a wide range of careers. However, according to Gartner's article, mentioned above, “Gen Z has missed out on developing soft skills”. 

How to adapt

• Join extracurricular activities. Attending free public events at local colleges, museums, libraries, or music academies can provide opportunities to develop social skills. For instance, being part of a team can teach communication, collaboration, and leadership, while volunteering can help develop empathy, adaptability, and problem-solving.

• Seek out feedback. Soft skills require ongoing practice. Seek out feedback from teachers, coaches, mentors, and peers on areas where you can improve, and actively work to incorporate that feedback into your behavior. Look for opportunities to practice in real-world situations, such as giving a presentation, resolving a conflict with a friend, or taking on a leadership role in a group project. Reflect on your experiences and use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

Wrap up

Being proactive and taking responsibility for one's learning and personal growth is the key to thriving in the fast-changing world of work. What are the skills young people need to acquire today? Be a self-taught learner, embrace technology, and cultivate more soft skills.

Try this:

Identify one area where you want to grow and develop and plan. Look out for free meetups to attend online or in person in this area (along with the advice of your parents or guardians). Then, share your experience - fanbase.app/share/lifeskills.

	Life Skills' advice promotes the acquisition of the skills that are valuable both now and in the future. We inspire our community by encouraging learning ownership, turning mistakes into opportunities, and setting personal goals. You can find Life Skills on Fanbase.
Graphics retouched by Yanick Saint-Elien Header image by vecteezy.com Graphics by Canva