Technology Is Stepping Up. Are You?
“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” — Bertrand Russell
We are creatures of habit and the unknown scares us. Technology is advancing at breakneck speed and some of us have a particularly hard time keeping up. We’ve cemented the belief that we’re not good at anything tech-related and it’s hard to break down those hardened walls. We need inspiration ever so often to rethink our beliefs. The recently concluded interactive program ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ had the Prime Minister answering questions from students, parents, and teachers from all across the country. The #withoutfilter event evoked discussions on myriad topics ranging from exam stress and the relevance of marks to technology and dealing with failures. One of the takeaway points was that technology is not to be feared and should instead be viewed as a friend.
‘Fear of technology is not good. Technology is a friend. Mere knowledge of technology is not enough. Its application is as important. Technological trends are changing quickly. It is essential to stay updated with these trends.’ – PM Narendra Modi
The technology around us is constantly changing and at times it’s hard for most of us to keep up! But we live in a world where the obsolete has no value. Technology has become inescapable, especially in our professional life. And let’s be honest, not all of us are techies or keep abreast of the latest developments in say, AI, Cloud Computing or any other emerging technologies. For some of us, the thought of upskilling or learning a new technology flusters us! Here, at Jigsaw Academy, our counselors have encountered numerous cases where they have successfully put all the uncertainties to rest. Our alumni are glad that they took the plunge when the time called for it. Our aim is to ensure that students are well-informed before taking bold career decisions and providing cutting- edge training in sought-after technologies to push them up the corporate ladder.
People think that upskilling involves a lot of risks and it couldn’t be farther from the truth, but it does mean stepping out of our comfort zones and that isn’t easy. It’s time to take the buzzword ‘Upskill’ seriously if we wish to rise in our careers. Being average will only take you so far, especially during the appraisal time. According to NASSCOM, 40% of the Indian workforce will need reskilling in the next 5 years to keep pace with the changing skill set needed. The impact of technology, especially in the IT sector, is tremendous. Emerging technology like Cybersecurity, IoT, AI, Cloud Computing, and Big Data is rising exponentially and is the sector that is creating jobs in the market. The Future of Jobs Report 2018 stated that emerging technology is likely to create 133 million new jobs by 2022. There is a sector which is booming and needs qualified professionals, so what is the problem?
Upskilling is necessary to keep pace with the growing competition and for career growth. In this age and time, you can’t expect to grow in your career without upgrading your skills. Employers and employees need to realize that upskilling is the need of the hour and the way forward. Investing in your education and growth is never a waste. Job profiles are getting restructured and you need to fool-proof your career by staying ahead of the curve. Fear should play no role in making decisions that’ll take you places. It’s important to consider all the factors before making a decision and the PM’s statements certainly reflect the current scenario in the country. Technology has already taken over the world and it’s up to us if we want to get on board or be left behind.
