AI, Career Planning, and the Future of Work with Mark Herschberg

01/15/24 • 19 min

Is your plan for a career path nothing more than a list of vague aspirations? What if you could create a concrete plan and gain the skills that will help you achieve the career success you’re hoping for? Mark Herschberg joins Mary Ann Faremouth in this episode of Career Can Do and shares his insights on how to navigate the new work world. Mark is an instructor at MIT and the author of the book "The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success No One Taught You." They discuss a common mistake in creating a career plan, how to adapt to the changing landscape of AI, and the importance of the ‘firm skills’ no one taught you.

Mark emphasizes the need for individuals to have a career plan rather than simply hoping for promotions or advancements. "So many people, when they ask themselves about their careers or others ask, they might say, well, I'd like to be a VP, and I'm a director of whatever, or a senior... And that's the plan. Their entire plan is, “I hope one day to get this promotion or get to that level.” That's not a plan." Mark also suggests discussing the plan with one's company and being open to the idea that the plan may lead to transitioning to a different job in the future.

Mark discusses the concerns surrounding AI and its potential to automate tasks and replace jobs. He offers a different perspective on how you can stay relevant in your career. “You want to be very strategic... understand how those tasks will evolve, what will go away, what will stay, and what new tasks will come in.” Mark advises people to evaluate which tasks are high-value and hard to automate, as well as low-value tasks that can be automated. By focusing on high-value tasks and understanding the evolving nature of your role, you can adapt and position yourself for long-term career success.

Your career development plan shouldn’t be created in a vacuum. Mark emphasizes the importance of discussing career plans with employers and managers. He believes employers should work together with employees to find mutually beneficial solutions. As an employer, he shares some of the discussions he’s had with employees who want to transition to different roles or even different companies. By fostering open communication and understanding, employers can create a supportive environment that encourages growth and development.

Resources

Mark Herschberg on LinkedIn | The Career Toolkit | BrainBumpApp

Faremouth.com

Resources

Mark Herschberg on LinkedIn | The Career Toolkit | BrainBumpApp

Faremouth.com

Previous Episode

Finding Yourself Through Service with Eric Liu

Mary Ann Faremouth is joined today by Eric Liu, a past District Governor of Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe. The organization believes in the shared responsibility of individuals to take action in addressing the world's most persistent issues by promoting peace, providing clean water, fighting disease, supporting education, and more.

Eric Liu's journey with Rotary began at the age of 41, when he had established his career and was looking to give back to the community. Eric found Rotary’s non-religious, nonpolitical approach to be the perfect platform for his philanthropic aspirations. Eric explains, "Because we're international, we're able to go into any country doing good work to help people. And because we're nonpolitical, many countries will let Rotary get in to do work."

Rotary doesn’t just make a difference in the world. It makes a difference in the lives of its members. With the divisions in the world today, Rotary brings people together in a way that transcends generation, class, and culture, and gives them the opportunity to become better leaders, communicators, and team players. Members connect around shared values, providing opportunities that go beyond their work in Rotary, including networking among employers and job-seekers. “The people I've met in this organization are top notch, wonderful, wonderful people,” Eric says.

If you’re interested in joining Rotary, visit their website at Rotary.org. “Every club has slightly different culture, and you can find one that matches you,” Eric says. The global directory of clubs on the website caters to many different schedules, lifestyles, and commitments. Additionally, for those who prefer a more tailored approach, you can email Rotary directly for a more customized match.

Resources

Eric Liu on X (Twitter) | Rotary International | Citizen University

Faremouth.com

Next Episode

Elevate Your Career with Toastmasters with Pamela McCown

What does it take to unlock your full potential and achieve career success? In this episode of Career Can Do, Pamela McCown joins Mary Ann Faremouth in this episode of Career Can Do to share some surprising insights on how to do just that. Pamela is a past international director of Toastmasters, a renowned organization that helps individuals develop their communication and leadership skills. With her extensive experience and expertise, Pamela will discuss the benefits of joining Toastmasters and how it can help you navigate the new work world. From refining your speaking skills to cultivating friendships and continuous learning, Toastmasters offers a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Pamela shares how Toastmasters can help you refine speaking skills, improve listening and thinking skills, and enhance communication abilities. Toastmasters also offers opportunities for networking, cultivating friendships, and continuous learning and leadership training. The organization fosters a supportive learning environment where members receive immediate feedback and suggestions for improvement. Toastmasters is seen as a valuable resource for personal and professional development, helping individuals become better versions of themselves.

Listening is a crucial component of effective communication. In Toastmasters, members learn to understand their audience and listen to their needs and preferences. This skill is transferable to the work world, where employees must comprehend their company's goals and expectations. By actively listening and thinking about how to add value based on what they have heard, individuals can effectively communicate their message and demonstrate their worth to employers or colleagues. Toastmasters encourages the development of listening skills to enhance overall communication abilities.

Everyone knows how critical networking is to your career. Organizations like Toastmasters provides a platform for individuals to connect with professionals from various backgrounds and industries. These connections can lead to valuable relationships, mentorship opportunities, and even job prospects. The episode emphasizes the importance of building a network and how Toastmasters can facilitate this process. By engaging with fellow members and participating in club activities, individuals can expand their professional circle and open doors to new opportunities.

Resources

Pamela LinkedIn

Faremouth.com