The professional world has changed in many ways over the past decade, and those changes have recently ramped up. That’s especially true in the past 5-6 years, when artificial intelligence and remote work have become quite prominent. Such technology has afforded workers a level of flexibility and career mobility that hasn’t been seen before.
The rise of collaboration programs alone has changed the way that many people get through the workweek. Employers can now pull from a larger talent pool, as technology has largely obliterated geographic lines, at least professionally. Not only has technology made work easier for many people, but it has also created new jobs.
Anyone with a background in IT or data science can reap the spoils of this new technological world. Whether you’re a substitute teacher for med students or an accountant, new technology can make your life easier. Follow along as we explore how technology is redefining flexible work and career mobility.
Technology Has Changed the Professional World
Technology has evolved at a faster rate than most people would have expected. It affects a large portion of the workforce, especially when it comes to their schedules and locations. Technology will continually change the work world in many ways, such as:
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Unparalleled Flexibility
Technology offers unparalleled flexibility, whether by letting people work remotely or letting them use efficient tools. For example, people can use a single multi-functional program to accomplish the tasks they used to need five programs for. This affords more free time and flexibility, while also cutting costs and improving efficiency.
Flexibility has always been needed, but business owners haven’t always provided it to their employees. This has historically created a stressful work-life balance, where people feel like their work takes priority. Technology lets people get just as much done without having to give as much of themselves to their work.
The instant feedback that technology affords also provides some much-needed flexibility. Remote work naturally offers the most flexibility, and it’s becoming more common all the time. This makes balancing personal responsibilities with work responsibilities easier than ever.
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Streamline Collaboration
Some people fear that remote work makes collaboration much harder and less productive. However, many disagree and feel that collaboration is much more effective among remote workers. That’s because remote workers can access so many robust collaboration tools.
Whether it be Slack, Asana, or Zoom, among others, there are countless impressive collaboration tools to use. Not only are these tools fast and easy to use, but they also provide concise documentation, so you can always reflect on information and work. Just because you’re in a different location doesn’t mean that collaboration has to be difficult.
Sure, remote workers may miss out on the casual moments at the water cooler. That said, remote workers can easily communicate via video calls and instant messaging platforms. It helps to put guidelines in place and hold everyone accountable to ensure smooth operation.
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Reduce the Financial Overhead
Money isn’t everything, but it is the bottom line when it comes to running a business. Business owners throughout the world do everything they can to cut costs, and remote work has made this easier. With so many remote workers, some businesses don’t need to spend as much on brick-and-mortar spaces as they used to.
Some business owners no longer need to rent or own buildings at all. At the very least, they can downsize to save money on rent or property taxes if fewer people go to work in person. This is especially useful for people who run magazines, newspapers, and websites.
By cutting costs, business owners can allocate those funds to other places. In a perfect world, that may result in pay raises and better benefits for employees. Even if remote work isn’t a factor, technology allows business owners to reduce the number of systems and gadgets they need by utilizing multi-functional programs.
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Pull Talent From a Larger Pool
The location used to largely dictate who could work at any given company. While business owners can still hire locally, they’re no longer restricted to hiring local talent. Technology affords business owners the ability to hire talent from throughout the country and world.
This gives business owners more power to build a strong team without worrying about geographic barriers. It also allows driven, passionate workers to work their dream jobs, regardless of location. More importantly, they can work their dream job without having to relocate in many cases.
This gives people more autonomy over their careers without making huge sacrifices. It’s one of the ways that technology benefits employees and employers equally.
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Create New Roles
It’s no secret that the rise of technology is a controversial topic in many industries. After all, automation can eliminate many jobs, which naturally scares workers throughout the world. However, not as many people talk about how technology can create many new jobs.
For example, companies that utilize artificial intelligence rely on data analysts and AI specialists. The rise of technology has also created many cybersecurity and cloud computing jobs. People with a background in IT, data science, and cybersecurity can benefit from the rise of AI and cloud computing.
It’s worth learning as much as possible about AI if you have a background in tech. There’s no denying that the rise of AI will continue, so it’s worth figuring out how to navigate that world. Many of these jobs can be performed remotely, so flexibility is a big factor.
Technology Has Redefined Flexibility
While brick-and-mortar workplaces will always exist, they’re no longer your only option. That’s because technology has redefined flexibility within nearly every industry. The ability to work remotely and exchange information between coworkers offers unparalleled flexibility.
Today, geographic barriers don’t always determine where you can work. This gives many people the opportunity to work their dream jobs without spending a fortune on relocation. Between the new jobs that technology creates and the flexibility it affords, countless workers can benefit from it.
About the Author
Ryan Ayers is a researcher and consultant within multiple industries, including information technology, blockchain, and business development. Always up for a challenge, Ayers enjoys working with startups as well as Fortune 500 companies. When not at work, Ayers loves reading science fiction novels and watching the LA Clippers.
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