Engineering Jobs That look Promising in the Future
By Prabeetha R
Industrial Revolution in 90s was supposed to take over lot of jobs .Instead it created a newer set of jobs and improved productivity. With Artificial Intelligence gaining the mileage in CXO level discussions, what are the jobs that are set to change the face of employment in the next 10 years. Do we have to really feel threatened by the tentacles of Microsofts’ Azure or IBM’s Mr Watson?
With top companies using Artificial Intelligence to analyze every data point to improve business and predict results/human behavior, is “thinking” going to be redundant in next 10 years? Imagine a world where we are the robots and the machine does the thinking. While that might be taking the dream of a lifelong vacation a bit too far, here is a list of technical /engineering  jobs that might see a new phase in the upcoming years.
Robotics and Mechanical Engineering:
Imagine a world where robots easily blend into our homes and offices. They might take your pet out for a walk or clean your office .With factories looking to further automate their assembly lines with robots , the Robot Designer/Engineer is set to become a much sought after specialist. Designing and testing a robot or using robotic technology often involves combining knowledge from mechanical, software and electronic engineering streams.
Data Scientists:
Data scientists and Data Analytics professionals are being hired by every reasonably large company looking at making data- driven decisions. Although this might be a general term that is being used today to describe persons being hired to make sense of the company’s huge data pile using machine learning , statistical models and automation tools, the data scientist is going to move into specialized roles as the usage of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Data Analytics requires customization for the business problem at hand.
Specialized Sales:
Software Engineers/Technology experts with a flair for sales would be valued as Marketing Specialists as technology products and services become more and more complex. Companies would value employees who have in depth knowledge of technology and exceptional communication skills . Why would this role be valued? Advancement in Artificial Intelligence still has to move by leaps and bounds to form that social and emotional connect with your prospective client.
While there are machines that might be able to produce unique paintings and designs, the job of the Architect will still be in high demand. Architects of the future will be fusionists combining creativity and design functions assisted by artificial intelligence tools. The field will see design changes with emphasis on energy efficiency and use of advanced material structures in construction and design.
With the use of robots in repetitive tasks like brick –laying and cementing ,the construction industry might be set for a boom. Hadrian X , a brick laying robot system is said to have the capability to reduce 4 to 6 weeks work to a mere 2 days. Using robotic technology in construction would mean lesser time for companies to complete on-site construction activity and deliver a project. The job of Civil Engineer will change with companies using AI and robotics for quality and structure testing and scheduling.
AI is set to become a transformative force in changing the landscape of many coveted and data intensive professions. However,many of the promises of AI , like self-driving cars and personal agents catering to your needs might be years away from actual large scale commercial implementation. Nevertheless, a large scale re-skilling of employees is something that is the need of the hour, as data intensive work is taking a new turn in workspace. As for students graduating today, the safety net would be to continuously upgrade as AI braces past at the blink of an eye. More and more students are using the internet to keep themselves updated about latest technology rather than teachers and textbooks. We definitely need to revisit the way we learn or risk being disposable in the corporate world.
Reference used: World Economic Forum Report 2016-Future of Jobs
About the Author:
Prabeetha R is Manager Operations at ERA Foundation. She comes with professional experience in credit and operations roles in banking sector. She is passionate about advancing quality and accessibility in education. She directly oversees assessment programs ,operations and other core services at ERA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, focusing on higher education in India.
