The next wave will be at intersection points

At the time of the dotcom boom, any industry that got labeled as a ‘brick and mortar’ economy company was seen to be completely devoid of any fizz. Talent moved from the concrete brick and mortar buildings to the glass and hot air balloons of the dotcom companies. In no time, the hot air balloons soon crashed leaving many people sitting on tree tops. Human beings are survivors. From the graveyard of the dotcoms emerged many other sectors – some fairly new. For a brief minute it was all about being in Retail and then it was about Telecom. Everyone has had their spot in the limelight. From Aviation to Textiles to IT, everyone got a chance to walk with a swagger – for a while.

The same started to happen with professions. When I was growing up, you had to be a doctor or an engineer when you grew up. When some teacher had to praise a student, she would say, “You will be a great engineer when you grow up.” That was enough to make your inner being fill up with sunshine. Many of us went home and announced dreams of pursuing a career as an Engineer only to be dissuaded by a hysterically giggling sibling. Thankfully there are so many options to choose from now. Just look around and you will see professions that did not exist even three years back. Now there are institutes offering degrees and certifications in all kinds of things that would have only the other day qualified as a crazy person’s hobby.

The US News has a list of Best Careers of 2010. They list many professions. InScience and Technology, the best careers list is skewed in favor of computer geeks: Software Engineer, Systems Architect, Network Architect, Biomedical Engineer, Environmental science technician, Hydrologist, Environmental Engineering Technician, Civil Engineer, and Meteorologist.

In Business and Finance, they list being an actuary as a happening choice. The others who share the victory lap with Actuaries are Training Specialist, Financial Adviser, Financial Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Accountant, Loan Officer, Public Relations Specialist, Cost Estimator, Meeting Planner and Logistician. In Education and Civic Services there is a need for a Mediator, Clergy, Urban Planner, Specialized Teacher, Court Reporter, Medical and Public Health social worker, Emergency Management Specialist, Marriage and Family Therapist. So, clearly stress also generates employment opportunities.

I believe Security will be a big employer. I am counting everything from Army to Weapon-making to private security under this one big trend. The world will have its stress points. Just look at the list of ‘helping professions’ listed above – Mediator, Clergy, Therapist… get the drift? The same stress will lead some to think of blowing up people and problems. Ergo start pumping iron. Everyone needs security – the government does, the rich fellow does and so does the innocent citizen. From dogs to humans and robots, Security will employ all since all will employ Security in some form or the other.

Business and career opportunities will all lie at intersection points. By that, I mean opportunities will be at the intersection of multiple sectors. Intersect Telecom and Entertainment and you have the next big wave of opportunities and emerging careers. The ability to devise entertainment on the mobile platform will be where business lies and the best opportunities too. Intersect Healthcare and Engineering or for that matter Healthcare and Information – you have a mega opportunity. Healthcare by itself will have many players. Information will have many. Combine the two and you can be the big fish in the big pond in no time.

About the Author

Abhijit Bhaduri works as the Chief Learning Officer for the Wipro group. He lives in Bangalore, India. Prior to this he led HR teams at Microsoft, PepsiCo, Colgate and Tata Steel and worked in India, SE Asia and US. He is on the Advisory Board of Wharton's prestigious program for Chief Learning Officers that is run by the Univ of Pennsylvania.

He is an adviser on Social Media usage for SHRM in India. He is among the top ten HR influencers on Social Media according to SHRM, India. You can join him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/abhijitbhaduri. Abhijit is the author of two works of fiction. His most recent book about hiring is called Don?t Hire The Best. His writings have appeared in The Economic Times, the Hindu Business Line, People Matters Magazine, Operations Research & Management Sciences Today. He has been quoted in Knowledge@Wharton and journals like Organizational Dynamics. He also blogs for Times of India.

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