When Work Changes, What Are We Really Adapting To?

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We’re used to thinking about work in terms of roles.

Job titles. Responsibilities. Functions.

But those categories are starting to shift.

Artificial intelligence is often discussed in terms of replacement.

Will it take jobs? Will it outperform people? Will it eventually do more than we can?

Those questions are easy to ask.

But they may not be the most important ones.

In many cases, AI isn’t replacing work.

It’s redistributing it.

Tasks that were once time-consuming are becoming automated. Processes that required manual effort are becoming streamlined. And in that shift, something subtle happens.

The nature of contribution begins to change.

Take something like human resources.

AI can now screen resumes, identify patterns, and surface candidates more efficiently than a person reviewing applications one by one.

That improves speed.

But it also raises a quieter question:

Who decides what “fit” means?

Because when decisions are guided by systems, those systems carry assumptions.

What is valued. What is prioritized. What is filtered out before anyone notices.

The same pattern shows up across industries.

Technology doesn’t just change what we do.

It changes how decisions are made.

And over time, that influences what kinds of work matter.

We often hear that AI will allow people to focus on more “strategic” or “creative” work.

That may be true.

But it also means that the definition of value is shifting.

From execution → to interpretation. From process → to judgment. From doing → to deciding

That transition isn’t just economic.

It’s human.

Because as systems take on more of the visible work, the invisible parts become more important:

• how we think

• how we interpret

• how we define what matters

The future of work is often described in terms of skills.

But it may be better understood in terms of awareness.

Not:

What can AI do?

But:

How does its presence change what we pay attention to?

Work has always evolved.

But this shift feels different.

Not because of speed.

But because of where the change is happening.

Not just in what we do.

But in how we decide what is worth doing.

AI – What Comes Next Isn’t Just Technical

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We’re living in a moment where artificial intelligence has quietly moved from idea to presence.

It’s no longer something we imagine.
It’s something we use.

The shift is easy to miss.

A system that once answered questions now helps shape them.
What began as a tool is becoming something closer to a partner.

Not fully independent.
But no longer entirely passive.

That change isn’t just technical.

It’s relational.

We tend to focus on what AI can do:

• analyze

• generate

• recommend

But the more important question is what it begins to influence.

What we read.
What we trust.
What we come to believe.

The future of AI won’t be defined by capability alone.

It will be shaped by interaction.

Because the more we rely on these systems, the more they begin to reflect us back to ourselves — not just in information, but in priorities.

This is where the real shift is happening.

Not from human to machine.
But from tool to relationship.

And that raises a different kind of question.

Not:

What will AI become?

But:

What will we become alongside it?

Machines Reflect Their Makers

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We often describe artificial intelligence as neutral.

Logical. Objective. Free from bias.

But that assumption is part of what gives it power.

AI doesn’t form opinions. It reflects the priorities, guardrails, and blind spots of the people who create it.

That doesn’t make it broken.
It makes it revealing.

When an AI presents an idea in a certain way, it’s easy to assume we’re seeing something balanced or complete.

But what we’re often seeing is a version of the world that has already been shaped:

• by what was included

• by what was excluded

• by what was emphasized

Not intentionally in every case, but inevitably.

The influence is rarely obvious.

It doesn’t arrive as distortion.
It arrives as clarity.

A response that feels neutral is easier to trust.
A perspective that feels complete is harder to question.

And that’s where the shift begins.

As these systems become part of how we search, read, and decide, the question isn’t whether bias exists.

It’s whether we recognize it.

Because what appears to be “just the answer” may also be a reflection of what someone decided mattered most.

Technology doesn’t remove interpretation.

It changes where interpretation happens.

Never Stop Being a Student of Your Work—and Your Life

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By Brent Jones | Originally published April 3, 2020 | Revised August 2025

Burnout is often blamed on external factors—unreasonable job expectations, poor leadership, or unsustainable workloads. While these certainly contribute, burnout doesn’t always originate from what’s happening to us. Sometimes, it’s what’s not happening within us.

When we stop learning, we stop growing. And when we stop growing, we start to fade. That slow erosion of curiosity and engagement is just as dangerous as stress or exhaustion. It breeds complacency, cynicism, and a sense that nothing new is possible. You don’t have to hate your job—or even be bad at it—to feel burned out. You just have to feel disconnected from it.

This can apply to any area of life: parenting, creativity, relationships, leadership, faith, even hobbies. When the purpose gets blurry and we stop exploring, we begin to run on autopilot—and eventually, on empty.

I was speaking with an old friend about his long and successful career. What surprised me was how conflicted he felt about his longevity in the field. Rather than pride in his depth of experience, he questioned whether others saw him as outdated. His doubt—quiet but telling—was a sign of something deeper: not just burnout, but disconnection from meaning.

It made me ask myself: how often do we confuse experience with being “done”? Why do we let the wisdom of age or familiarity become a burden instead of a strength?

There’s a dictionary definition of burnout that has always stayed with me: “The end of the powered stage in a rocket’s flight when the propellant has been used up.”
That metaphor hits hard. The feeling of being used up, of having nothing more to contribute, is what defines true burnout. It’s not always about being tired—it’s about feeling finished.

But what if burnout isn’t a signal to quit? What if it’s a cue to re-engage?

If you find yourself saying, “We tried that before and it didn’t work,” pause. Ask instead: What’s different now? What can I do differently this time? Sometimes, the same idea applied with new perspective can yield completely new results.

Reinvention doesn’t always require a grand gesture. It starts with staying curious. Ask questions. Read widely. Listen to people who are newer than you. Explore ideas that challenge your assumptions.

Don’t begin with “how things have always been done.” Start by asking, What’s changed? What’s changing right now? And how can I change with it—without losing what matters most to me?

Peter Drucker once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Whether it’s your industry, your relationships, your creativity, or your sense of purpose—create a future worth staying engaged with. Keep learning. Keep asking. Keep experimenting.

Because when you stay a student, burnout has a much harder time catching up to you.

Which is Better, Education or Experience →

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Education usually refers to someone's higher learning, aka their university degree. Compare this to experience that provides learning from completing first-hand, practical tasks and immersing yourself in real-world situations.

Authors in the field of self-help and personal development often delve into the debate of education versus experience, exploring what can be learned from each.

Consider a deep-sea diver. Would a theoretical class or firsthand experience be more beneficial? The answer, echoing the phrase 'experience is the best teacher', suggests that direct personal experiences can be more impactful than secondhand knowledge.

“The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Albert Einstein.

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” This quote from Mahatma Gandhi underscores the urgency of continuous learning, encouraging us to seize every opportunity to expand our knowledge.

Education and Experience Find Each Other in the Career Development Center →

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This picture of the Idaho State University Career Development Center focuses on the most critical questions: Education or Experience? Education 1st, and then what?

The book “Why Professionals Use LinkedIn for Networking and More: Optimizing, Focusing, and Keeping Your Profile Current” was written by an alumnus of this particular university and was held by a student working in the center. A lifetime of experience

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Note from Lance Erickson, Ed.D. Director at Idaho State University

• Idaho State University

• Pocatello, Idaho, United States

• Brent: Thank you for recently sending a few copies of your books. We at the ISU Career Center have greatly enjoyed and learned from them.  Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom! -Lance Erickson
  
  

Note from Brandon Street > Southern Utah State University

Brent, Thank you for being willing to share your knowledge! I appreciate reading these books and learning from your experience to help our students better. All the best,

Brandon Street   |   Director - Career & Professional Development
Career & Professional Development Center
SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY
Sharwan Smith 204F  | 

 ——————————

Shelly Robinson <> University of Chicago

Hi Brent,

Thank you for your kind offer, and I am always happy to share strong content with my students.12520 Havenwood Pass, Cedar Lake, IN 46303. All the best,

Shelly L. Robinson, Ph.D.Director of Career Services 
Sr. Program Development Officer Committee on International Relations MA Program in Computational Social Science The University of Chicago 5736 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Room 103773.834.1621 Shelly.Robinson@UChicago.edu

Polish all your skills continually not just when your looking for a job →

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Sharpen the saw and polish your skills as suggested by Stephen R. Covey, and study your industry. Take an inventory of all your soft and hard skills to understand what you have. Be sure to identify all the skills required for your job. Determine which of those skills have been allowed to get out of date and are less valuable now. Some of those will be a problem as your industry changes. It is likely time to update and add new skills that complement what you have.

In addition to your current skills, studying the industry will teach you new skills that are also needed in your career focus. Some research will be required. You can use the informational interview approach to figure out what you need.

Identify others in the industry doing this, make an appointment to meet with them, and ask what skills they see emerging as necessary in your work. While doing this, learn about their company and point of view and add them to your network of contacts. If something happens that you can see would be of interest, then let your new network contact know and be a resource for them. Networking isn’t just about finding a job. It is also about staying current and connected in your profession. Spend some time fine-tuning your Soft Skills:

1. Expand your vocabulary

2. Embrace the plain language

3. Defeat your fear of public speaking

4. Improve your writing with practice

5. Perfect your listening skills

6. Practice dignity and respect

7. Stay Current - Know What is New in Your Industry that has Impacted the Skills Needed

In 2023, it was predicted that nearly half of the current workforce skills would become obsolete in just two years, primarily due to advancements in artificial intelligence. This underscores the need for continuous learning and skill updating to stay relevant in the rapidly changing job market. (New ways of doing things could also bring the need for new skills)

Key findings: Near-Total Transformation: About 49 percent of existing skills in the workforce in 2023 are predicted to be irrelevant by 2025.

LinkedIn can be a resource to see if you have missed some changes. Check out competitors and look at those employed in similar jobs and then at their profiles. What skills do they list? Are some a surprise, or are some the same as yours but with different titles? Are the titles and skills you find just different by name from what you have? Update your skill names, pick skills you need, and train for them.

Remember, the need for skill updates is not a one-time event. As the industry evolves, so should your skills. It's recommended to reassess and update your skills every 2-3 years to stay competitive and relevant in your field.

Experience and Education Still Matter →

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Education is the starting process for making people more thoughtful about the end destination. Once you learn something, you have to figure out the value of knowing it.

Experience is what it takes to know how to accomplish the something with less effort because of lessons previously learned.

What you learn and experience can often determine your success or failure. Effortful learning combined with real-life on-the-job experience is a winning formula for success. Your choices and your experiences help create the person that you are.

Sharing an experience within the context of the lecture or advice consolidates learning, fosters better understanding, and impresses longer in the minds of students or those having the experience. It simply puts theories to practice firsthand.

How Do You Showcase Your Transferable Skills in Your Job Hunt? →

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For job seekers, transferable skills can be your ticket to proving that you’re the right candidate for the role. After identifying the transferable skills you need to succeed in your next job, consider how you’ve demonstrated and showcase those skills at work and in your personal life, and prepare to relate them accordingly throughout the hiring process.

“Don’t be afraid to showcase the journey of how you’ve acquired and utilized these skills throughout your career, inside and outside of the office,” Your LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letter, interview, website, and any networking opportunities are all places you can highlight these skills to show why you are the best person to hire.

Adding critical transferable skills in your LinkedIn headline or “About” section About” section on LinkedIn is an essential step to being discovered by recruiters or hiring managers. Pro tip: The skills section on LinkedIn is keyword searchable, so be sure your top three skills are relevant to where you want to go!

On your resume, designating a skills section can pay off in more ways than one. “Giving the transferable skills their own real estate on the resume will make it easier for employers using key search words and shine a spotlight on your areas of strength,”

Soft skills, such as problem-solving and multitasking, can be included, as long as they aren’t too general (e.g., “people skills”) and align with the role’s requirements. It would help if you also expanded on how you’ve used your transferable skills in the bullet points describing your past jobs and other experiences.

Though skills sections commonly go on the bottom of a resume page, you might consider moving yours up if you want to lead with your transferable skills. You also have multiple resume format options to choose from. Entry-level and career-changer candidates may decide that a combination resume (or even a functional one combinationcombination resume (or even a functional resume)—which gives space to detail your skills front and center—is best for them. In contrast, candidates with relevant work experience may opt for a chronological resume.

Employment cocaches encourage candidates to be strategic about their cover letters. They say it is the perfect place to tell a story about how you plan to leverage your transferable skills to add value to the team.

This Simple Formula Makes Highlighting Transferable Skills Easy

You should also create an elevator pitch around how you’ve shown your abilities in the areas most crucial for your next role. For example, if you’re looking for a job where leadership is essential, you might craft your spiel around instances when you demonstrated that skill—both in and out of the office. Maybe you took the lead on training new hires at your last company, or you manage a recreational softball league on the weekends. Then, use your elevator pitch in networking opportunities or an interview. If there’s a specific job description to reference, you can frame your elevator pitch around it.

Interviews are also an opportunity to use the job description to anticipate the skills the hiring managers will be likely to ask about. You can practice your elevator pitch and answers to common interview questions, so they include how you leveraged your transferable skills to achieve results.

Throughout every stage of the application process, whether that’s in your resume, cover letter, or interviews highlight your skills. For example, if you are highly independent and have a knack for getting the job done without direction, and the job description asks for someone self-motivated—use the wording ‘self-motivated’ versus ‘independent. The more you can speak the language of where you’re going, the better you will position yourself for success in your search.

Examples of Transferable Skills?

Here are some examples to get you thinking about your transferable skills. Remember, this list isn’t exhaustive, and many skills can be mobile if they’re relevant to the next step in your career.

Communication Skills

Communication skills help you exchange information with people inside and outside your company. The ability to get your point across well will be relevant in any role where you have to interact with people or create or present content on behalf of or to your team or company.

• Content Writing/Development/Creation

• Editing

• Grant Writing

• Language Proficiencies

• Phone Screening

• Proposal Writing

• Public Speaking

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills help you work well with team members, managers, direct reports, clients, and stakeholders. If your job requires interacting with people in any way, these are likely to be highly important.

• Business Development

• Client/Account Management

• Collaboration

• Conflict Management and Resolution

• Customer Service

• Partnership Development

• Process Development

• Relationship Building

• Sales Skills

• Teamwork

Leadership Skills

How you have exercised your ability to manage and lead can set you apart and are also industry-fluid.

• Change Management

• Company Culture Leadership

• Employee Training and Development Facilitation

• Mentorship Skills

• Team Management or Leadership

• People Management

• Project/Program/Operations Management

• Strategy Leadership

• Talent Acquisition/Hiring Committee Leadership

Other Soft Skills

These talents and strengths can tell your future employer where you shine outside the job’s technical requirements.

• Adaptability

• Agility

• Attention to Detail

• Creative Thinking

• Goal Setting

• Independence/Self-Motivation

• Innovation

• Multitasking

• Organization

• Problem Solving

• Resourcefulness

• Time Management

Technical and Task-Oriented Skills

The tools and tasks you are proficient in could add value to your next opportunity, regardless of industry.

• Accounting

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Bookkeeping

• Content Management Systems (such as WordPress, Drupal, and Squarespace)

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software (such as Salesforce)

• Database Management

• Equipment Installation

• Google Analytics

• Graphic Design

• HTML/CSS

• Ideation and Concepting

• Microsoft Office Suite: With software this broad, you might want to do specific tasks such as making pivot tables, creating macros, performing data analysis in Excel, or creating presentations in PowerPoint.

• Project Management and Collaboration Software (such as Trello, Asana, Jira, Slack, and G Suite)

• Reporting and Analysis Skills

• Social Media Management and Scheduling

• SEO

• Professional Certifications: Certifications often speak to skills that can be transferable to other industries, such as Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications indicating that someone has project management skills, organization skills, and leadership skills. Credentials like Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or Google Analytics Individual Qualification can prove you’re an expert in the skills they’re named for.

• Typing

• Website Design

Change is the end result of all true learning - so seek change →

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Education expands our vision and gives us knowledge of the world around us, and education changes it into something better. It changes our perspective of looking at life and enables us to form our points of view on things in life. It develops the capabilities to fight against injustice, violence, corruption, and other harmful societal elements.

“Change is the result of all true learning.-Leo Buscaglia” “Learning never exhausts the mind.-Leonardo da, Vinci.” “- Aristotle.” “Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence -Abigail Adams. ”

Polishing your Skills means that you should never stop Learning →

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The ideas behind Stephen Covey’s 7th habit, which he wrote about in his 1989 book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, are nothing new. His message was that we should disconnect from the outer world to take time and recharge our batteries.

From Lincoln’s comment that If he had six hours to chop down a tree, he would spend the first four hours sharpening the ax, anyone who has ever chopped down a tree knows, of course, that time spent sharpening the ax is well worth it and will save more time than it costs. Dull axes mean you don't chop but instead just pound and pound. Time spent pounding suggests that recharging one’s batteries and rethinking would be wise.

Whether you are out of work or not, your skills have become dated. A close examination of your skills would be timely. Before you draw any conclusions, remember: You don't know what you don't see, so you need to study your industry. Find out what is new. Find out what the competition is doing. Never stop learning.

20 top best certifications to have in business →

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Continuing education is courses that let you develop your knowledge and skills in a specific area. LinkedIn learning or Udemy is a popular way to take classes and stay current professionally. One reason that courses are often taken is to keep current in a profession.

Jane Kellogg Murray is a senior editor for Indeed's Career Guide, and she wrote an article in November 2020 titled “The 20 Most-Requested Certifications by Employers in 2020

Her article identified the certifications most frequently included in new job postings over the past year. While many in-demand certifications are healthcare-oriented, you'll also find in-demand tech, warehouse, and hospitality credentials.

1. CPR certification

2. BLS certification

3. Certified nursing assistant

4. ASE certification

5. ACLS certification

6. First Aid certification

7. ServSafe certifications

8. Certified medical assistant

9. Scrum master certification

10. PALS certification

11. Forklift certification

12. BC/BE

13. PMP certification

14. Child Development Associate certification

15. ARRT certification

16. Pharmacy Technician certification

17. NRP certification

18. Home Health Aide certification

19. CompTIA Security+ certification

20. CISSP

Artificial Intelligence to Replace Humans in Knowledge Based Professions →

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Artificial intelligence is expected to replace many humans in professions that rely on knowledge and linear thought, such as medicine and law; thousands are training for fields, such as coaching, where intuition, creativity, people skills, and communication tools are more difficult to replicate in machines.

Ten examples of jobs that may be replaced:

• Telemarketing.

• Bookkeeping Clerks.

• Compensation and Benefits Managers.

• Receptionists.

• Couriers.

• Proofreaders.

• Computer Support Specialists.

• Market Research Analysts.

• Customer Service

• Research & Data Entry

Knowledge based industries are those industries which are based on their intensive use of technology and/or human capital. While most industries are dependent in some way on knowledge as inputs, knowledge industries are particularly dependent on knowledge and technology to generate revenue.

Communication Skills are Transferable Skills: All of them! →

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Career education plays a crucial role in helping students understand their career goals. It equips them with the skills, knowledge, and encouragement they need to navigate their desired career path. As a result, students who study this subject often display higher engagement and motivation, as they have a clear understanding of what they want to achieve.

Communication skills are not just your ability to talk in a job interview convincingly or convey information to people inside and outside the company. It includes getting your point across and being understood when and wherever you interact with people on behalf of or to your team or company. These skills include the following:

• Content Writing/Development/Creation

• Editing

• Grant Writing

• Language Proficiencies

• Phone Screening

• Proposal Writing

• Public Speaking

Scrum and Agile: What is the difference, and what about other Certifications →

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Getting further certifications is good advice for continuing to educate yourself and keep yourself marketable.

Scrum and agile training are appropriate for anyone in the corporate structure dealing with rapidly changing demands. In a traditional organization, these roles might include: Program Managers

Technical Writers

Directors

Project Managers

Product Managers

Engineers

Developers

Stakeholders

Designers

The critical difference between Agile and Scrum is that while Agile is a project management philosophy that utilizes a core set of values or principles, Scrum is a specific Agile methodology used to facilitate a project.

Scrum is a subset of Agile. It is a lightweight process framework for agile development and the most widely-used one. A “process framework” is a particular set of practices that must be followed for a process to be consistent with the framework.

Scrum training and certification refers to courses and exams available to provide instruction and certify aptitude in Scrum.

Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org are considered by many as the two most reputable Scrum certification organizations.

Certification for Sales Professions (CPSP) →

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Salesmanship combines both science and art. The art requires practice and application of correct methods, and the plans reflect a science of interactions. Of course, natural skills and inborn talent help, but study and a solid professional interest are essential. This shows that salesmanship is art-science based.

While not appropriate for every position, candidates for sales positions can stand out by becoming certified professional salespeople. This demonstrates competence in a well-known sales philosophy and that the holder has learned how to improve their sales abilities from an expert.

The National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP) offers a six-week online training course to those interested in advancing their sales profession. When you spend a lot of time around salespeople, their differences stand out. The best salespeople are proud of their skills. They recognize how many different professional areas of focus are needed to be good at sales. These are the kind of people who take the additional steps during their careers to learn all they can. Certification is natural for the professional salesperson.

Project Management Professional Certification should be on your list to get →

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The Career Education section of the Personal Development section presents this information as a valuable area of focus in adding necessary certifications to your career path.

Project Management Professional (PMP) is an internationally recognized professional designation offered by the Project Management Institute. (PMI) It is the gold standard of project management certification. Recognized and demanded by organizations worldwide, the PMP validates your competence to perform as a project manager, leading and directing projects and teams.

A PMP certification can help you advance your career as it reflects your education, skill, and persistence level. It’s also ideal because it isn’t just limited to one industry. It can apply to healthcare, publishing, information, professional, construction, finance, and insurance.

The Project Management Institute offers this certification and includes prerequisites, such as a high school diploma, 7,500 hours of leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education. The alternative is a four-year degree, 4,500 hours of directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education. To obtain this certification, candidates must organize their work experience on the application and pass a 200-question multiple-choice exam, which is now available online. You must earn 60 professional development units annually to maintain the certification.

Education helps to understand things that have been right in front of you and you didn't know →

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An African proverb teaches: “If you think that education is expensive, then try ignorance.” Connected Events Matter's website devotes 30+ subsections of its Life Skills section to finding answers, eliminating roadblocks, and advancing your career. Even if you sincerely embrace these ideas, more is needed.

"Be passionate about improving. Be passionate about helping others. Listen to your feelings.”

Passion is the fuel that drives personal growth and career advancement. It's what makes you want to improve and help others. But to truly make a difference, you need the right education. Without it, you might feel love but not know what to do with it. It's like walking around with a sack on your head-you won’t see the opportunities right before you.

Certification for career advancement should not be overlooked even if your working

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A certification is a credential that demonstrates that you have the knowledge, experience, and specific skills needed in a particular field or job.

Certifications are different from professional licenses that may be required to hold specific jobs. Certifications assess and verify that a person has proficiency or even has mastered particular abilities and skills, which can then be used to accelerate career growth in a field rather than a specific job.

Online certification options to advance your career are available in many professions. Below find some popular ones that can increase your career.

1. Project Management Professional
2. Society of Human Resources Management Certifications
3. Leadership and Management Certificate
4. Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)
5. CompTIA certifications
6. Salesforce certifications