What do you notice and wonder about the intensity, peak and duration of respiratory illnesses in the U.S.?
Announcing the Fastest-Growing Job Skills of 2023
By Zac Rule, Vice President North America, Enterprise
I’m excited to introduce The Job Skills of 2023 report, which explores the fastest-growing digital and human skills on Coursera entering 2023. Of the more than 113 million total learners on the Coursera platform, this report specifically draws on data from Coursera’s 4 million enterprise learners across 3,000 businesses, 3,600 higher education institutions, and governments in over 100 countries. By identifying in-demand job skills, institutions can better equip their employees, citizens, and students with the knowledge needed to enter a competitive job market and advance their careers.
At a time when global macroeconomic challenges are intensifying—driven by international conflict, high inflation, and an uncertain economic outlook—nurturing skills development will be fundamental to strengthening the labor market. Global research from Deloitte found that skill-based organizations are 107% more likely to place talent effectively, 98% more likely to retain high-performers, 57% more likely to anticipate changes and respond effectively and efficiently.
From revealing the growing popularity of micro-credentials among both job seekers and employers to identifying how specific human and digital skills benefit learners, this report equips institutions with the insights to build skills-based learning strategies that address the needs of today’s global workforce.
Global job skills trends in the report include:
- The fastest-growing skills are digital skills. The top ten overall fastest-growing skills are digital skills. The ongoing evolution of technology means employers are regularly seeking new digital competencies from potential hires while also reskilling existing workers.
- The fastest-growing digital skills are changing more significantly than the fastest-growing human skills. The top ten digital skills vary significantly from last year—only two have carried over year-on-year: data visualization and user experience. The human skills in demand remain steadier, suggesting an evergreen demand for skills like management and communication.
- Management skills to guide teams through change are among the fastest growing. Managers have been under greater pressure since the pandemic and in a context of greater macroeconomic uncertainty. In response, organizations are recognizing the increasing importance of leadership and management skills necessary to effectively manage change at the individual, team, and organizational level.
- Skills centered on user experience are on the rise. With digitization across all industries accelerating, user experience skills are in high demand as consumers expect their needs to be met rapidly, effectively, and in a user-friendly way. Skills related to customer success tools and user experience design have seen increased interest.
- Skills that blend technical expertise and project management are new to the list this year. As organizations increase investments in digital skills, having skill sets that help organizations manage and support technical teams is becoming more important than ever to meet internal deadlines and objectives, ensure resources are allocated and managed wisely, and boost efficiency.
- Skills like data visualization and analysis are growing and can complement traditional human skills like people management and storytelling. As organizations seek to yield value from data-led approaches in teams from IT to HR, being able to understand and use data to communicate effectively is becoming a must-have skill—regardless of career path.
- Communicating with peers, customers, and prospects is key for hybrid work. Sharing information effectively is set to remain a vital skill for learners and organizations alike in 2023. These skills help organizations connect with customers, guide internal teams, and steer strategic discussions.
This is Coursera’s second annual Job Skills report and comes on the heels of recent research reports including the Global Skills Report, which benchmarks the skills proficiencies of distinct populations, and the From Higher Education to Employment report, which confirms that job skills are a top priority and that industry micro-credentials aligned to career outcomes are key to driving employability.
Interested in turning these insights into a skills development plan for your institution? Book a meeting with a Coursera team member today.
Are You Optimistic About the State of the World?
A Times columnist argues that the planet is in better shape than you think. What gives you hope about the world we live in?
Crossing the Line
What do you think this image is communicating?
Word of the Day: reproach
This word has appeared in 35 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year. Can you use it in a sentence?
Teach With These 13 Times Columns
In this special series of lessons, we offer ways to use various New York Times columns as models for student writing and creating.
Our 4th Annual STEM Writing Contest
We invite students to choose an issue or question in science, technology, engineering, math or health, then write an engaging 500-word explanation. Contest Dates: Jan. 18 – Feb. 15, 2023.
Finding a Work-Life Balance
It’s a new year and with it comes work aspirations and being more present at home. Often, these goals are not often easy to achieve. The different demands that pull you in every direction. The unexpected obligations and commitments that come and require your full attention. It’s a daunting and overwhelming pursuit. Finding a 50/50 balance between work and home is not always simple and easy. Here, we explore ways to help you finding a work-life balance and get you as close as possible to achieving it.
What is work-life balance?
When we speak of work-life balance, we mean an equal distribution of time and energy between your career and family or personal life. This ideal is an even 50/50 share but this doesn’t look the same for everyone because of different factors affecting the scale. Furthermore, no two individuals have the same work and home life demands. There are kids, second income streams, partners, extramural activities, projects, deadlines, and life events that all come into the mix at different times. Balance, in effect, will never be 50/50 but the scale will tip to either side depending on what work and home looks like for everyone in a month, season, or year.
Why is work-life balance important?
Work and family life are two integral components to who we are. When you’re fulfilled at work you are more likely to be more productive, engaged, and happy. Outside of work, when you’re stress free, you’re able to give your time and attention to your loved ones as well as partake in necessary self-care. Both feed into each other and therefore investing in these elements that make us who we are, and our best selves is vital.
Added to that, work life balance is important for various other reasons:
- A balanced life reduces stress levels and ultimately likelihood of the appearance of anxiety, burnout, depression, substance abuse
- Lowers chances of resignations brought about by undue stress and work pressure
- Improved quality of life
Finding a balance between work and family life
As mentioned earlier, we all prioritise different things. For the solely ambitious, giving their all to their career means longer work hours, less time with family and friends. For the family-focused, it means working less hours and directing time to home life instead of climbing the corporate ladder. For the individual wanting a bit of both, you have to make a few changes at work and at home to bring you to this equal ratio.
Work
Familiarise yourself with your company policies.
Employers: What are your company policies regarding the health and wellness of your employees? What benefits are available to employees or can be introduced to help encourage work/life balance? If none are in place, look into introducing them. Things like access to therapy, financial coaching, health and fitness coaching are a good place to start.
Employees: Make use of your employee benefits. Take your leave. Participate in engagement sessions, workshops, seminars, and other activities hosted by your employer that aim to facilitate a healthy workforce.
Model work/life balance.
Employers: Take leave and don’t send emails from the beach or your vacation house.
Employees: Be firm when you’re available to respond to work calls and emails – work during work hours.
Employers: Learn how to delegate responsibilities and not pile everything on one individual. By giving others a share of the responsibilities, you encourage growth and their career development. This gives employees a sense of purpose and will want to stay longer in the company.
Employees: You don’t need to be a superhero and “do it all”. Learn to say “no” and in some instances, when to ask your team to handle some of the tasks. This will help you be more productive and dedicate time to important tasks.
Home
- Set a schedule. It can be difficult to keep up with everything going on and all the demands placed on you. Set a schedule weekly or monthly. This allows you to see what your commitments are, what is important or what you can decline and ensure your energy is directed to the right places and things.
- Switch off. We live our lives online. Streaming, music, emails, banking, and everything else is in the palm of your hand. This on demand nature we’ve become accustomed to makes it difficult to switch off. It can easily creep into family time and makes it difficult to draw the line between home and work. Put your phone away and be present with those around you.
- Exercise. No, this doesn’t mean you need to become a gym bunny by any means, but experts have stressed the importance 30 minutes of walking daily and the impact it has on our bodies, and minds. Exercise releases the happy hormone, endorphins, which contribute to making you feel good. It also helps relieve stress and regulate your mood. Find what works for you and stick to it.
What’s important to remember about finding a balance between work and family life is that there is no cut-and-dry method for everyone. This is something that both employers and employees are responsible for.
- As an employer, you are a steady companion that doesn’t demand robotic output from your staff but instead, an encouragement of a healthy lifestyle. “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work,” Aristotle.
- As an employee, you can’t pour from an empty cup. You are responsible for ensuring you have enough in your tank to give to yourself and your home life.
If you find yourself struggling with your mental health resulting from stress and the pressures of life, take our free Wellbeing Assessment below. This will measure your mental health and wellbeing and suggest courses to take to help you learn how to live a healthier, happier, and more productive life.
Wherever you find yourself on the balance scale, you can make changes that will bring you close to this perfect balance. In 2023, let’s strive for less productivity-driven output and more fulfilment, time and energy devoted to things that matter to you.
How Sagar landed his Dream Job as a Data Analyst
Before immigrating to the U.S. in 2014, Sagar worked as an analyst at one of the most respected data consultancy services in India. Despite his experience, however, he found it difficult to land data-related jobs in his new country. “I didn’t have a degree or a professional certificate from the US, so it was difficult to show companies why I was the best fit for a role,” he says.
Sagar had to build his career all over again. He took a job in the automotive industry, but knew that he wanted to return to data analytics one day.
When the COVID-19 pandemic slowed business in the automotive industry, Sagar had more time to think about his long-term career goals. He enrolled in the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and spent evenings studying the course material while juggling family responsibilities.
Sagar took several breaks in his studies for caregiving duties, and ultimately completed the certificate in about a year. He started applying to data-related roles as he was finishing the program and feels the certificate on his resume helped him land more interviews. During the interviews, employers would acknowledge his certificate, which made Sagar finally feel his skills were appreciated. In the end, he landed a data analytics role at his dream company.
Sagar has these 3 tips to others who may feel discouraged while learning new skills and who may be considering giving up:
- When things get tough, keep going. “You might find the first few courses easier to understand and complete them quickly, especially when you are all pumped to learn something new. As the certificate program progresses, it might take longer to understand things. Don’t let this demotivate you. Consider it time well-utilized in understanding the course offering at its best.”
- Manage your time. “Allocate the time of the day or week when you can best learn something new. Then stay committed to it. Block your calendar for that time so that nothing else can distract you.”
- Don’t pressure yourself. “Instead of thinking about finishing the course ASAP, set a goal of spending a certain amount of time each day, week, or month to learn. This will help you stay motivated and on the right track.”
Just like Sagar did, you can begin laying the foundation for your next career move. If you are interested in building in-demand job skills, consider enrolling in a Google Professional Certificate program.
[Explore programs]
Follow Megan’s Journey to Becoming a Program Manager
After double-majoring in education and spending four years as a teacher, Megan realized the profession wasn’t for her. However, she wasn’t sure what her next step should be. She hoped her existing experience could translate to another career, but she wasn’t certain.
That’s when her cousin told her about the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. Megan enrolled and found the program flexible enough for her to learn while simultaneously working, managing her household, and applying for new jobs.
In her applications, Megan mentioned her certificate enrollment and expected completion date, which helped catch employers’ eyes. And during her interviews, she tried to demonstrate how her experiences as a teacher gave her valuable project management skills. Right before Megan completed her program, she landed a position as a program manager at a higher salary than she expected.
Based on her experiences, Megan has 3 tips for people want to gain new skills but need to balance learning with their other obligations and responsibilities:
- Make every moment count. “Take a hard look at how you spend your downtime and create habits that will help you reach your goals. I realized I spent a lot of my downtime scrolling mindlessly through social media. By becoming more intentional with my time, I could make progress in my course every day.”
- Create small, attainable milestones. “I’d set mini goals so I could see tangible evidence of my progress. Then I’d find a reward for each goal I achieved.”
- Think about your “why”. “It can be really challenging to focus on changing careers when you’re currently stuck in a position you don’t love. Remembering the reason why you decided to pursue a new career can help you focus on where you’re headed instead of where you’re at now.”
Just like Megan did, you can begin laying the foundation for your next career move. If you are interested in building in-demand job skills, consider enrolling in a Google Professional Certificate program.
