Get your seat on the future train.

Imagine the whole world was on a train to the future. The tickets are skill sets and resumes.  The comfortable seats – coupled with the bonus of exquisite meals – are for those who have strong portfolios and great prospects. Those who love being average are standing, but there are still so many seating spaces.

Would you have a seat?

If you’re sure of a seat, you’re doing an awesome job, but please keep reading.

Hey calm down, it’s just an imagination. But let’s be honest. What’s your status with respect to the future of work?

We could give the excuse that optimal education is lacking and talk about so many other hindrances. But there are so many opportunities for development today as there are tweets on twitter. Yes, that many!

Getting to the top tier seems like an uphill task. The work that has to be done looks scary and further.

Let’s break it down into five steps:

1. Find your space

The first thing that you must do is find where you belong, your niche. You should search for your area of interest, which may or may not include university coursework. The best people in different fields always exhibit how passionate and excited they are about their work. no one can help you find that particular thing, but I can give you a hint: sit down, and write down all the things that interest you. Narrow them down and pick those you want your children to be proud of.

This is highly crucial. Please don’t lie to yourself about being “interest(less)”, We all have our spaces. You are occupying it now.

2. Find what you need and improve yourself.

Having an idea of where you want to be is highly important. The next thing you should do is be up to date with the trends in that field. You have a trustworthy friend for this, good old Google.

Search for courses and YouTube videos, subscribe to articles in that field and do not be afraid to learn.  You should stay up to date, willing to avail yourself of emerging skills and become better. If you want to earn a living, learn for a living.

3. Find your network

You may have heard that “Your network is your net worth”. Nothing could be closer to the truth. Becoming better in a particular field involves connecting with people already in that particular field.

Some of your current friends may have the same inclinations, great. If you want more, LinkedIn and other social media outlets are a great place to start. All you have to do is use your hashtags right and connect. Some brave slides into DMs could also do the trick.

You could also join different organizations that can help you grow, for example, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE).

4. Fan out

Specialization is great, but if you could be more versatile, much greater. If you have other interests, you could add them on. There is no harm in spreading yourself and having other relevant skills. You will be treasured.

Knowledge is a whole. This means that if you have other interests, you can always incorporate that knowledge and expertise in your main goal. Combine your different strengths, and unfold your uniqueness.

5. Follow through

This is the most important aspect of taking a seat on the global train. It’s up to you to be the best version of yourself. You make the choice of adding value to the world and making the world a better place.

It boils down to one question. Do you want your seat on the train?

If yes, go get it!

May the Fourth be with you.

Yours,

Elushade Oluwatumininu.