The Future of Work

AI is changing how we think about money—from budgeting apps and digital investment assistants to tools that promise personalized financial guidance in seconds. But knowing when to use AI, when not to and when to bring in a personal financial professional isn't always obvious. In this episode, we unpack where AI truly helps with personal financial planning; where its blind spots show up; and why context, critical thinking and human judgment still matter. We also explore how today's financial planners are using AI to focus more on what clients need: clarity, confidence and guidance through life's biggest decisions. If you're navigating financial choices in an AI-powered world, this conversation will help you use the tools wisely—and know when it's time to talk to a human. To guide this conversation, we welcome Craig Kirkpatrick, who is the co-founder of Optimal AdvisorAI, the AI Learning Partner for financial services firms. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4aQnhhs Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4cdnX2L

It's a new year, and if you're like us you're probably wondering what 2026 has in store for workers, job seekers and leaders. Glassdoor's latest trends show some big signals to watch: a growing disconnect between employees and leadership, mini-layoffs creating near constant anxiety and job searches stretching longer than ever. Burnout is high, trust is low and a lot of people are "job hugging"—or staying put because the market feels so uncertain. But there are also some clues about where opportunity might pop up this year, from shifting expectations around AI skills to what's really happening with remote work and promotions.  To guide this conversation, we're looking at the real-world data from Glassdoor. In case you're not familiar with it, Glassdoor is a website where current and former employees anonymously review companies that they have worked for. These anonymous and candid insights into company culture, salaries and leadership from real employee experiences help job seekers make informed career decisions and help companies showcase their culture. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome back Daniel Zhao, chief economist at Glassdoor, who has been doing research on trends in the job market and workplace.  Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4qkZGMh Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3YFsDq7

As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: Artificial Intelligence isn't slowing down—it's reshaping jobs, expectations, productivity and even how we see our contributions as humans. If you want insider advice on how to adapt to these shifts and hints on how to become more agile and less stressed, this conversation is a good place to start. We're discussing partnering with AI; standing out when everyone else uses AI; and growing your agency, authority and autonomy to design the future that you want. We also look into how you can become more adept at reading signals so that you can be proactive and not reactive. If you're feeling the fast pace of change in your bones, you're not alone. Let's huddle up for some practical tips on staying grounded and making sense of the constant reinvention ahead. It's all about expanding possibilities. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Steven Fisher, who helps organizations anticipate disruption and turn uncertainty into opportunity. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4b15DZR. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4avRDY2

This month, we continue our conversation about AI's impact on recruitment and rewriting the rules of hiring. With hundreds of resumes for every role and too few recruiters to review them, algorithms now decide who makes it through the virtual and actual door. It's efficient—but also impersonal. Candidates are ghosted, culture gets reduced to keywords, and the job search feels like a numbers game or playing the lottery where the odds are stacked against you. And even if you make the first round, it feels more like a transaction than a conversation. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Leandro Cartelli, founder of a staffing and recruiting agency specializing in connecting U.S. businesses with top Latin American talent. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3JE28xs Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4i6uptm

This month, we're looking through the eyes of recruiters to see how AI is rewriting the rules of hiring. With hundreds of resumes for every role and too few recruiters to review them, algorithms now decide who makes it through the virtual and actual door. It's efficient—but also impersonal. Candidates are ghosted, culture gets reduced to keywords, and the job search feels like a numbers game or playing the lottery where the odds are stacked against you. And even if you make the first round, it feels more like a transaction than a conversation. In this episode, we'll explore how AI is transforming recruitment—the opportunities it creates, the challenges it leaves behind and what it means for the future of work. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Leandro Cartelli, founder of a staffing and recruiting agency specializing in connecting U.S. businesses with top Latin American talent. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/49rsSeK Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4huOKbd

We're continuing our conversation about AI and skills and what organizations are looking for as they develop their workforce. What skills do you need to fortify your career, and how do you demonstrate you have those skills? From practical project-based work to the redesigning of roles, let's look under the hood of the modern workplace so we can see exactly what's driving the change and how you can stay in the driver's seat.  To get this behind-the-scenes look at what companies are prioritizing, we're delighted to welcome back Kate Bravery, senior partner and global leader of talent advisory at Mercer.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/48C0ypF Read the full transcript @https://bit.ly/3IG2gvN

In today's fast shifting workplace, the rules of success are being rewritten. HR leaders and executives are looking for skill sets that blend adaptability, agility,and the ability to work alongside AI, not against it. We explore the skills that are on the rise and the ones fading away. What skills do you need to fortify your career and how do you demonstrate that you have those skills?  From practical project-based work to the redesigning of roles, let's look under the hood of the modern workplace so we can see exactly what's driving the change and how you can stay in the driver's seat.  To get this behind-the-scenes look at what companies are prioritizing, we're delighted to welcome Kate Bravery, senior partner and global leader of talent advisory at Mercer.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4lPV2mg Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/47To1SW

If you're looking to reinvent your career, reboot your confidence or rethink what's possible, we're going to give you some time, space and strategies to imagine your next move. The past is not a fortune teller. It doesn't dictate your future. The past is, however, an excellent teacher that offers useful lessons, but not limits. So how do we tackle finding our future career path with a minimum of stress and self-doubt? To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Andrea Liebross, a results-focused business coach and life-balance architect. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4mcLbHN Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4mcLbHN

As AI continues to transform our workplace, it's not just about keeping up with the tech. It's about staying grounded, sharp and curious. We need to cultivate skills that allow us to adapt, recover from setbacks and navigate complexity. In this episode, we dive into why emotional and cognitive resilience are must-haves for the future and how thinking like an innovator and above your pay grade can set you apart in an AI-powered world. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4lJhD4D. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4lJhD4D

This month, we're exploring one of the biggest shifts in the modern workplace: the move toward project-based work. Companies are organizing their efforts around short-term, goal-driven initiatives rather than long-term roles. This evolution means that project management is no longer just a specialized function—it's becoming a core skill for everyone. Knowing how to lead a team, manage deadlines and deliver results is essential in today's fast-moving and cross-functional environment.  But equally important is skills agility—the ability to adapt quickly, learn continuously and apply your talents across different teams and challenges. In a project-based world, the most valuable professionals are the ones who can shift gears and thrive in any setting. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome instructor Nate Crews. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4jjrQmw Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/43PdzcI

We continue our conversation about the state of DEI and the heavy influence that AI will have on this important directive. This month, we explore the impact of AI on DEI initiatives—how it can either amplify biases or serve as a tool for equity. We look at how DEI programs play a key role in developing AI that does not cause unintended and disproportionate harms. And we will also get a sneak peek at how AI might be changing our behaviors without us knowing. So if you're concerned about the intersection of technology and equity—and what it means for the workplaces of tomorrow—you're in the right place. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome back Bo Young Lee. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3GE94II Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3YMx82i

We're diving into a topic that's more urgent than ever: the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations, and the profound impact artificial intelligence is having on these initiatives. As economic pressures mount, budgets tighten and politics change, a concerning trend is emerging: Organizations are scaling back their DEI initiatives. These pullbacks are raising alarms about what the future of work will look like—especially for underrepresented groups. And when you add in the impact of companies adopting artificial intelligence to streamline operations and make decisions, the risk of algorithmic bias becomes even more pronounced. Without strong DEI frameworks, AI systems and those who are coding them can unintentionally perpetuate inequalities—widening opportunity gaps rather than closing them. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Bo Young Lee.Read the transcript from this interview @https://bit.ly/428vdpP. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3XtuHkP.

In this episode, we're diving into a critical transformation happening across industries—the decline of middle management. As companies flatten their structures in pursuit of efficiency, what happens to organizational communication and workplace culture? Are we losing vital connectors who bridge leadership and employees, or is this the evolution of a more agile and collaborative workforce? To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Ron Coverson, an executive-level human resources professional and business consultant, and is currently the Assistant Dean of Academic Personnel and Human Resources for the University of California, Berkeley Law School. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4hXbD6N Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3FqqyIc

In this episode, we're diving into a topic that's reshaping modern workplaces and unlocking incredible potential—neurodiversity. From creating inclusive environments to tapping into the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to the table, we'll explore how organizations can evolve beyond traditional approaches and thrive in a world that celebrates and leverages difference. To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Khushboo Chabria, a neurodiversity specialist and a transformational leader.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3PP8Xvz Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/4irhzoA

As we look toward 2025, we're reflecting on how much AI has made deep inroads into our future of work. From creating new opportunities for automation and entrepreneurship to its impact on how we hire new talent, AI will no doubt continue to stay at the forefront of our conversations. But we need to remember that there are actual humans coding the AI, responding to the outputs and implementing change. Where does the intersection of people and AI convene? Are we embarking on a new set of technical and people skills? To future-cast what this relationship might look like in 2025, we're excited to welcome back esteemed guests Vaneese Johnson and Chalenge Masekera. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/41InVKV Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3FB1iii

In this episode, we're going to shed light on a sensitive subject that many professionals encounter, but very few understand: performance improvement plans, or PIPs. It's time to bring PIPs out of the shadows and talk about them.  You may be a manager trying to guide your team to success and have a challenging employee who is struggling, and you face having to put them on a PIP. Maybe you are that employee, struggling to understand what is expected of you and frustrated by your lack of advancement and facing a PIP. Let's explore and break down the stigma of what a PIP really is, how it can be used to support growth—rather than be used as a disciplinary measure—and what both employees and managers can do to navigate this often tricky process.  To explore this growing trend, we're delighted to talk with Sonya Sigler, founder of PractiGal Coaching and Consulting, an IP lawyer, and best-selling author of Welcome to the Next Level and What's Next for My Career?  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3O55nwr Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3DoW5ty  

In this episode, we're asking the question of, are side hustles the new normal? In recent surveys, nearly 50-percent of the population has a side hustle in addition to their full-time work.  What starts as a side hustle often begins with a spark of passion or a desire to explore an idea outside the confines of a regular job. It's a space for creativity, a chance to build something meaningful on your own terms. But as this small venture grows, it presents a unique opportunity: the chance to transform that side hustle into a full-fledged startup. To explore this growing trend, we're delighted to talk with Chuck Temple and see if a startup might be part of your future of work. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3FoHVcm Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4dKKgK1

In this episode, we're helping to unlock access to coaching—both for your career and your personal life. Perhaps you have never thought about working with a career coach, or maybe you thought about it but hiring a coach was not financially viable. Some may feel an unfounded concern that coaching puts a spotlight on identifying your weaknesses. To unravel the mysteries of coaching and how this could be an avenue toward your own success, we're delighted to welcome founder and CEO of the Timmermann Group and unhamster, Michael Timmermann.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4gv5fTJ Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3FCNfsz

Social impact, change-making, entrepreneurship. Opportunities abound to affect positive impact and influence by leveraging your passions. Extraordinary things can happen when passion meets purpose. Sounds overwhelming? It doesn't need to be. You may already have a side hustle that spotlights your passion. You may already be thinking about that one project that you never seem to have enough time to put into motion.  Find out how you can get started on a path toward social entrepreneurship! Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4fEEagB Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/4iLNXC9    

Millions of Americans entering the workforce don't have a traditional four-year college degree. Earning a degree may not be realistic, attainable or appealing for everyone. Many folks are instead pursuing alternative educational paths—from on-the-job-training to certificates— to advance their careers. The traditional four-year degree is only one way to demonstrate needed work skills. But are prospective employers feeling the same way? We continue to see the bachelor's degree as a requirement for many job listings and so AI-enabled resume readers will screen out otherwise capable applicants. How can we tear down this paper ceiling and create more pathways for professional development and faster skills growth without the time and financial investment that college requires for workers who may already have equivalent work experience?    Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3SkqBsO Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/41XCcTD

In this episode, we're taking a very real look at how AI is changing the hiring landscape. Applicants are using ChatGPT to write job opening-specific resumes, which in turn is making applicants meld together and what this episode's guest calls a sea of sameness. On the other side of the application, managers are turning to ChatGPT to help write job descriptions. This is creating job description templates that are not specific to the actual open position. So how do you cut through the AI "red tape" when it comes to job descriptions and applying? To discuss this important topic, we're delighted to speak with Kat Kibben. Kat is an award-winning writer and renowned keynote speaker known for helping hiring teams write inclusive, unbiased job postings that help them hire the right person faster.    Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3XB9bv9   Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3DAk1Ku

This episode, we're turning our attention to the deskless worker—those who work in manufacturing, front-line support, health care and so many other areas. Their job does not require them to be at a desk or in a traditional office setting. They're on the go, in the field, working in environments that demand mobility and flexibility. How do we accelerate the learning and upskilling of the deskless worker? Is it through AI, advanced communications, introduction to new opportunities? How do we incorporate more inclusion for this majority group of workers? Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/458bo3e Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/454D4pn

Demand for mental health benefits has grown. In a 2023 NPR article, psychologists say they can't meet the growing demand for mental health care—whether it's not having enough open positions or three-month-long waitlists. There is a growing market for apps to fill the gaps, as well as platforms that connect people with licensed therapists or a number of AI-powered solutions that emulate a therapist. All this has an impact on workers and the workplace. And as we heard from Daniel Zhao at GlassDoor in our earlier episode, newer generations of employees are expecting employers to address these needs with benefits. Let's talk about what employees are seeking from companies and how companies are responding. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/43HKoXj Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3U0uaVX

Job listings mentioning AI have doubled on LinkedIn, and demand for AI skills is appearing across a wide range of industries and sectors. Job seekers are jumping on the bandwagon and adding AI skills to their resumes. But what does this mean? What are employers looking for, where can you learn these skills, and how do you talk about (and use!) AI in meaningful ways.  We turn to Dr.Michael Wu, who is a leading authority on artificial intelligence and behavioral economics. He's currently the Chief AI Strategist at PROS, an AI-powered software solution provider, and was recently appointed as Senior Data Science Research Fellow at the Ecole des Ponts Business School. A popular adviser and lecturer for UC Berkeley Extension's AI programs, Michael has triple undergraduate majors in Applied Math, Physics, and Molecular and Cell Biology, and earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley's Biophysics program. He will be presenting his “Demystifying AI: What Business Leaders Need to Know About AI” course at the upcoming Outperform With PROS conference. Learn more about this event @https://bit.ly/3uO78YH Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/42TyCJ4 Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3OY6P4A

Are you making any career or professional development resolutions? To help you envision the future, let's explore trends and new directions for career growth. To shed light on the jobs that are in demand and growing sectors, we need to dive into data from employees and employers. Fortunately for us, we are going to get a peek behind the glass door. We're excited to have Daniel Zhao, lead economist and senior manager data science at Glassdoor, who has been doing research on trends in the job market and workplace.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3Uw9BRY Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3w4UkgV

As we look toward 2024, we'd like to take this time to remind each of our listeners that it's important to invest in your future of work goals. So let's call this episode the Future of Work Gift Guide. What can you give yourself to upskill? How can you help someone achieve their career goals? To unpack and highlight insights from this past year, we've brought back Michelle Hector from our first episode on overcoming barriers and Barry O'Reilly from our third episode on unlearning.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3RsFPL3 Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3RpOvBR

With the advent of generative AI and large language models and chatbots, we need to take a look at the skills you will need, the jobs that are impacted and the opportunity to increase productivity—not only for yourself, but for an organization as a whole. With AI evolving at lightning speed, are we quickly entering the age of adopt or perish? To take a deeper dive, we have invited Chalenge Masekera to join us. Chalenge is a data scientist currently working at Faros AI, a company dedicated to enabling enterprises to get invaluable insights into their engineering operations.  Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/49gI9gg Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/47bv3ip  

This month, we're taking a look at collaborative intelligence. Collaboration is essential but often times invisible. It can either contribute to the success or lead to the downfall of a project. We collaborate in a number ways, using a number of different tools and in different places, but do we really understand how to collaborate effectively? What is the difference between collaboration and coordination? How does can collaboration inspire innovation? When does collaboration become overkill and lead to employee fatigue? What can individuals and leaders do to cultivate a collaboration community? To answer these many questions, we turn to Rebecca Hinds. Rebecca is the Head of The Work Innovation Lab by Asana, a first-of-its-kind think tank that conducts actionable research to assist businesses in adapting to the ever-changing challenges of work, both today and in the future. Read the transcript from this interview @https://bit.ly/3LEmTH3 Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/48rMqgm

This month, we're taking a look at the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that essentially struck down four-and-a-half decades of legal precedent that allowed higher-education institutions to consider race as one of the many factors in their admissions evaluations. While California has been grappling with this challenge since Prop 209 passed in 1996, now across the nation universities are seeking new ways to define college admissions that will help level an uneven playing field. Beyond admissions, we have questions about the domino effect this ruling will have not only on the makeup of incoming university students, but also the pipeline of college graduates entering  the workforce, the ripple effects on DEI in hiring and the makeup of that workforce.  We turn to Dr. Monica Cox to help us unravel what this ruling means for our Future of Work. Read the transcript from this interview @https://bit.ly/45z1ze5 Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3snBZd9    

This month, we continue our conversation on Artificial Intelligence and how it might change your job and create wholly new jobs. ChatGPT, a generative AI chat bot from OpenAI, and Bard from Google are changing how we see AI's role in how we do our jobs. From drafting speeches to writing and debugging code, AI can remove some of the grunt work. But as Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, said to Congress, "AI is a tool. It's not a creature." AI can help with tasks, but not jobs. So if AI could replace many tasks but could also lead to much better jobs, how should we be thinking about AI in our own careers? What do we need to be wary of? And what should we embrace to leverage the power of AI?   Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/43DscfY   Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3KaJMku

This month, we're taking a look at Artificial Intelligence and how it is changing the way we educate and the way we work. When we first started hearing about AI, there was a lot of conversation about automation, job displacement and up-skilling. Then this year, ChatGPT set the record for the fastest-growing user base with more than 100 million users as of February 2023. AI is changing how we think about teaching, what we are teaching and how we assess learning. Governments are asking how we maximize the good that can come of artificial intelligence, but minimize the bad. From a full embracing of the technology to having a healthy level of skepticism, how will you adapt to the power of AI?    Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3JRkvMh   Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3qXkn7h

A few episodes back, we talked about hybrid work and the growing strength that employees have in shaping the how and when of their work. This month, we're putting a spotlight on a trend that is picking up steam—the idea of a four-day work week. This experimentation is revealing pros and cons when implemented in countries such as Japan, Spain, the UK and South Africa. While a four-day work week may help boost employee productivity and mental health, not every worker can participate. So who chooses the when and how to introduce a four-day work week?  To answer this question, we turn to Stela Lupushor, a thought leader, speaker, educator and futurist who is on a mission to humanize the workplace. She advises startups, venture funds and mature enterprises on the use of design thinking, technology, analytics and future thinking to create inclusive workplaces. Stela teaches at NYU, imparting her knowledge on to the next generation of HR leaders. Previously, Stela transformed workplace practices at the intersection of technology, analytics and HR at organizations such as Fidelity Investments, TIAA, IBM, Price Waterhouse and PwC Consulting and their clients. She is the co-author of "Humanizing Human Capital: Invest In Your People for Optimal Business Returns” and "Humans At Work: The Art and Practice of Creating the Hybrid Workplace.”   Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3O6Lrdn   Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3BMnLUv 

We're taking an inside look at employee resource groups, better known as ERGs. ERGs provide a safe space for employees to meet with others like themselves, and develop community around those shared traits and needs. Normally employee-led, ERGs also provide inherent value to organizations small and large—from increasing employee retention, providing opportunity for professional development or boosting recruitment efforts. They are a win-win for both the employee and the employer. So to find out why every organization should cultivate and encourage ERG creation in their own workplaces, we turn to Anisha Nandi. Anisha is the CEO and co-founder of Verbate, a startup focused on helping companies build best-in-class employee communities.   Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3pE0YrH   Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @http://bit.ly/41iXuYT  

We ended 2022 with a bit of an upheaval in the job market. Mass layoffs at big-tech companies were splashed across the headlines. And more organizations are speculating that layoffs may be part of their fiscal plan in the coming months, reacting to the possibility of a looming recession. So in this episode of the Future of Work, we're bringing the workplace a little closer to home—making sure that you have a financial contingency plan if you don't already have one in place. To get some tried-and-true advice on weathering any potential upheaval in the future, we turn to UC Berkeley Extension instructor Richard Lehman.    Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3pAqL47   Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3BYUdTW  

Who is steering the ship? Today's workforce is more empowered than ever with many finding that maintaining a work-life balance is an important part of how we work. The pandemic opened the door to enabling greater flexibility around when and where we work. Job-seekers are prioritizing company mission, values and participation in DEI when they evaluate a potential role. Employees have shown that work can be done and done well remotely. So why the call back to the office? Why are products like an automatic mouse mover hitting the market? Where and why did the trust go? To kick off the new year, let's talk about going forward, not backward. Let's help managers and leaders of all types shift from driving productivity through force and move toward inspiring and motivating this empowered workforce.   Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3JS9qKR   Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/45x5NTA

This month, we chat with former guests Barry O'Reilly and Vaneese Johnson to future-cast what's in store for 2023!  They look back on 2022: Did we learn anything new? Did any of our systems or practices change? They look forward to 2023: Will there be new ripples or upsets in the work place? What should leaders and employees do to prepare and succeed in 2023?

What was once considered side hustles, the gig economy has become so much more. In fact, it's quickly becoming a trillion-dollar industry that offers more choices and opportunities. Whether it's partaking in the rideshare business as a driver or working as a consultant in the project economy, are we seeing the demise of the full-time employee? What does this mean for organizations who need employers—or contractors—with hyper-specialized skills in order to remain relevant? What are the pros and pitfalls of this new gig landscape and who is able to thrive?

Across the globe, people have created effective remote working environments for themselves. Statistics vary, but the majority of employees say that working remotely will be important to them in the future. Not all workers have the option, but more than half do, and when offered, almost everyone takes the opportunity to work flexibly. So with more staff solely interacting through digital means, does the loss of face-to-face interactions mean less networking, creative collaborations and impromptu hallway meetings? Does it also mean more realistic work/life balance, flexibility and increased productivity? Remembering that it's still humans doing the work, even if you can't physically see them, how do we need to design work and the workplace? What is the impact as more employees return to an office, but in a hybrid schedule? Who is getting left behind or forgotten?

There's no ignoring it: Data is driving business forward. Data informs good decision making. And as a result, companies are empowering their employees to explore, understand and communicate with data. As we look at the future of work, every role at every level of an organization will need data-literacy skills.

Specialized digital skills are becoming increasingly important and yet jobs are not becoming hypertechnical. Instead, they are becoming increasingly hybrid, mixing human and technical skills—and employers and workers alike are still struggling to keep up. For example, job postings are cropping up with qualifications in data analytics, project management and critical thinking. But those same postings are also requiring excellent communication skills, problem solving and time management. How do you balance the hard with the soft? In this second part, we talk about those people skills and how to use them to build your personal brand.

Specialized digital skills are becoming increasingly important and yet jobs are not becoming hypertechnical. Instead, they are becoming increasingly hybrid, mixing human and technical skills—and employers and workers alike are still struggling to keep up. For example, job postings are cropping up with qualifications in data analytics, project management and critical thinking. But those same postings are also requiring excellent communication skills, problem solving and time management. How do you balance the hard with the soft?

AI and automation are making some jobs obsolete or creating new jobs. We're also witnessing the great resignation, brought on by myriad reasons. In a McKinsey Global Institute report, “In the United States, we project there are about 17 million people in jobs that may see less demand. Over the eight countries we study in our report, 100 million people may need skills to perform different occupations in growing fields.” So if you're thinking about or perhaps in the midst of a career change, you need to get up-to-speed quickly. Or are you being redeployed into a new role at your organization? Here's how and why to build your capabilities.

The World Economic Forum recently declared a reskilling emergency as the world faces more than one billion jobs transformed by technology. No longer an ideal but an expectation, executives and employees must continually refresh their skills to keep up. To do so, continuous professional education is the key. But are you learning with intent? Intentional learners are experiencing all the same daily moments anyone else might, but they get more out of those opportunities because everything—every experience, conversation, meeting and deliverable—carries with it an opportunity to develop and grow. Here's how you can learn with intent.

If anything positive can come out of this COVID-19 pandemic, it's that the importance of health care professionals is seen as paramount—especially those who were furiously working to develop a vaccine. From understanding how the virus worked, how to mitigate its transmission and how to protect our global population against it, the biologists in the labs became the unknown celebrities of 2021. Their behind-the-scenes work quickly became front-page headlines. And with that flux of attention came a surge of open positions in the biological sector. Jobs in specific occupations—such as epidemiologists, medical scientists, biochemists and biophysicists, and biological technicians—are expected to see strong growth. What is the future of work in this surging area and what does it take to fill the jobs gap?

According to recent McKinsey research, women-held positions in tech has largely declined in the U.S. during the past 25 years. And yet, companies are reporting a shortage in tech skills as businesses across the spectrum are ramping up their tech capabilities. So what can companies do to not only fill empty positions, but fill them with women and women of color. What can women already in the field do to advance not only their own careers, but that of other females wanting to enter the field? What leadership skills are needed to break those barriers?   We talk with Michelle Branner, an expert in helping people build leadership skills, create effective teams and expand their emotional intelligence. She started climbing the corporate ladder in finance and later large tech firms and has been a small-business leader. Now, Michelle is teaching full time at UC Berkeley Extension about workforce development, leadership and making power moves.