Perhaps, we should focus more on dealing with the future by increasing our adaptability, rather than focusing on planning too much for our individual careers and lives (It is my belief that many of the MNCs will leave Singapore sooner than later to China or India, probably within 5 - 10 years). The next question would be: What are the skills that we could adopt to increase our capacity to adapt? I think certain skills are fundamental. Communications, technical skills (pick 2 or 3, programming seems to be quite useful), presentation skills, a financial understanding of organisations and project management, how to actively learn on the job, some design skills, working with people that you may not like to get things done.. I'm sure everyone will come up with their own list.
Another way to think about it would be focus on issues that will never go away (realist!). For example, the problems of energy, education, poverty, healthcare.. and adapt your skillsets towards a particular area that you have passion for.
(However, countries do still need long term planning for infrastructure, as infrastructure does not happen overnight.)
I think what scares me the most is the idea that I may one day be to old and set in my ways to change. Right now we're young and able to adapt to the new world around us ... but would this be true forever?
ReplyDeleteI admire those old computer scientists who can still come up with new things in their old age. Would it be like that for us, too? We have, after all, grown up in an extremely fast-moving world.
Always maintain a beginner's mindset and don't be scared of asking stupid questions lorh.. =)
ReplyDeleteThe most important skill to learn is: how to learn 'cos you can't even predict WHAT you need to learn. :-)
ReplyDelete