Work: 6 Professions Most Needed in 2020 and Beyond
What are the professions we will hear most of in the coming decade? Six important ones and more…
Our world is changing fast. And the nature of our jobs, of our professions, is changing with it. What professions do we need most in 2020?
First of all, I think we need to be prepared to make our own jobs. Go with the flow. Be freelancers who see opportunities, follow their own interests, grab chances and collaborate loyally and fiercely.
Secondly, I think we need to keep learning and combine all kinds of skills. Do we need to be polymaths? Well, we definitely need to be curious! And mindful and radical…
“We need to restore ecosystems and learn as humans how to live within the boundaries of our planet” — Desiree Driesenaar
In my opinion, these are the professions the world will need most in 2020 and beyond in order to prepare for the changes. In order to make the transition work.
1 Ecologists. As number one, I choose a profession that combines knowledge of nature with knowledge of systemic thinking. We need to find opportunities within ecosystems.
We need to see the connections. We need to combine nature and the human spirit. And translate that into action. So, it will not be the ecologist in a conventional sense. But a new kind of broad thinking ecologist with a strong connection to nature.
We need people who can see beyond their own profession and who are very knowledgeable about ecosystems. And have insights and a vision about the role humans have within these ecosystems.
2 Regenerative farmers, land- and sea-based. We need regenerative farmers on land ánd ocean/river who understand ecosystems and know how to create as much food and other resources while optimizing other values at the same time. We need soil/water lovers, soil/water carers, soil/water feeders… We need clean water, clean air, and health for all species. All are mighty important. And farmers and fishermen are the people who will teach the rest of us.
3 Storytellers. We do need them desperately. Storytellers with words, with images, with film, with music. As a human species, we need to evolve. And seeing the bigger picture helps. We need influencers with a purpose. Moreover, we need to want a different world. And as the author of ‘Le Petit Prince’ once so beautifully said.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
4Economists and entrepreneurs. Our world has been taken hostage by money. We have forgotten our real purpose. So we will need economists and entrepreneurs of the renegade kind who can show us a different path.
People like Kate Raworth, who give us the Doughnut Economy. A framework that combines economy with ecology and helps us to stay within the boundaries of our planet.
People like Gunter Pauli, who give us the Blue Economy. A set of principles to help us create bioregional economies, find the right innovations and invent business models that optimize all values instead of maximizing just money.
Scientists, inventors, technical geniuses
And then there are the scientists we so desperately need! The technical geniuses who will help us create the technologies that fit within planetary boundaries.
Some people say we have already invented everything there is to invent in terms of sustainable technology. Well, I don’t agree. Yes, we invented a lot, but we always did it from a human perspective. We never optimized for health, and energy, and biodegradable material, and positive influence on environment, and…
We need to do better! We need to invent the technologies that help us stay within planetary boundaries and create basic needs for all species.
5 Physics geniuses who are able to collaborate with other science fields. In physics, there are many hidden potentials to invent solutions to our problems. We need to find renewable sources of energy and we need to look beyond just solar panels and windmills. We need to design local grids, go to DC energy.
We might conclude, like Gunter Pauli, that gravity will be the number one source of energy to consider. What if we can design a house using the pressure from the roof to supply us with energy? Using piezo electronics? I know, we need movement for that.
But what if we make this house from bamboo? An abundantly growing material that is earthquake resistant exactly because of the flexibility, the movement… Multiple benefits…
Radical? Yes! But feasible… We just have to think differently, and that is what these physics geniuses might be able to contribute.
Quantum physics is another area that has vast potential in my opinion. One company that already changes the world with its radical inventions with regard to water is Blue Earth Innovations. It’s just a matter of time before the next inventions will be there. Will the ‘free energy principle’ change the way we look at energy supply?
One thing is certain. All geniuses need to be able to see beyond their own narrow line of vision. Systemic thinkers we need. Depth of knowledge, a big heart for people and nature, combined with an inquisitive mind. Curious, caring people will change the world…
6 Biologists who are also biomimicry thinkers. The natural world will give us solutions on how to stay within planetary boundaries. Biologists will show us the way.
Here, as in many of my other descriptions, the biologists will not perform their jobs in a conventional way. They will look beyond just one species. They will combine a depth of knowledge with a talent for looking broadly, zooming out and combining insights.
They will show us the vast potential of abundantly available materials, such as bamboo, industrial hemp, and algae. They will teach us about micro-organisms and fungi. And they will work closely with designers to invent products that serve our basic needs.
Everyone their own role
And we need you! Your talent! Your mind! Your heart! Your creativity! In my opinion, everyone has her or his own role to play and we need all of us working together! The task is overwhelming and we need to support each other to make it work.
We need civil servants who dare to make radically different decisions. Putting ‘life’ over ‘money’ and ‘transition’ over ‘business as usual’.
We need parents who teach their children mindfulness and care. Who will stimulate their inquisitive minds…
We need artists who show us a world upside down. Mirror us in our way of living.
We need teachers who dare to not-know. And let children find out for themselves. Experimenting. Learning by doing.
In short, we need you! So please join us in this vastly fascinating field of ‘Regeneration’. Help us invent a world we really want to live in. A world of love, of care. A world that supports a life worth living…
Afterthought
After publishing this article, I received many comments about the built environment. And yes, we have to reinvent that too. So we will need regenerative architects, builders, interior designers, and producers of healthy furnishings and furniture…
And that made me think of another category: designers full stop. We do need them desperately! And they need to design with the materials that can give back to nature. Local, abundantly available materials, such as kelp, other seaweed, algae, bamboo, industrial hemp, nettle, mycelium, mushroom, etc… Perhaps incorporating favorable bacteria in their designs will be an answer…
And if you want to connect, please find me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Or somewhere in nature, training my inquisitive mind…
Thank you, Mike, for adding your wise energy to my words.