Work in this day and age is very different from the scenario a few years ago. The present day’s workplace is flooded with aspects of multi-cultural and advanced technologies. Today, work is regarded most successful when accomplished by a team as opposed to an individual’s effort. The workplace is primarily dominated by the computer where every aspect of the workplace is controlled and/or monitored by computers (Behrens and Rosen 291). In any business in departments, there is an improved or greater diversity as far as characteristics of demography, styles and interests are concerned. This is a tremendous improvement comparing to the past where workplaces were rigid in structure and were dominated by one gender. There is an increase in the amount of attention given to interpersonal skills and personality in the 21st century since they are slowly replacing physical and mental abilities in the prediction of job success (Hilton 75). A life that is satisfying is now defined by how well an individual can strike a balance between work-related activities and those that are not. This article argues that despite the advancements in technology, the modern day worker is stressed. Stressed from the time they start college al thorough their career path. There are so many variables dictating how they must conduct themselves in terms of ethics and other aspects of the workplace. The 21st century workplace is not an assured haven for them either. One must be in constant transition to keep up with the changes in technology and management of responsibilities.
Additionally, the mental stability in the workplace is said to be at a record-breaking low. Downsizing, mergers, outsourcing, radical changes and acquisitions technologies have contributed to the depletion of the idea that one can one in one place for a lifetime. Such factors are a source f stress for the modern day worker (Shaw and Karen 370). After hard work in going through college and finding work, the 21st century workplace dictates that one never finds comfort. In the contemporary world, strategy is the key to satisfaction in whatever work on progress (Behrens and Rosen 297). Therefore, it is mandatory for an employee in the 21st century workplace to be strategic, keen and to observe times for changes that affect him/her.
There has been a tremendous transformation in the availability, nature and the way work is done in the 21st century. Today, one has to worry not only on how to get a job, but also worry on how to manage being in one. This includes engaging in the numerous life, learning and occupational transitions all through in a repeated cycle. The evidenced changes have led to an increase in the necessity and importance for the provision of guidance in terms of career and how to manage and handle oneself in the workplace. Such intense significance in the preparation of workers for the modern day workplace has led to the focus of the difference between competencies and skills needed by the worker of the past industrial era and the one in the technological or computer based digital age. While some skills did not matter in the past, the modern day worker is required to have other skills that are not specific to the occupation they hold which are transferable within all facets of work and life. The work in this era requires a workforce that is heavily equipped with meta-competencies. Such competencies and skills include; skills in life management, learning skills, interpersonal skills, as well as communication skills. Such skills hold a great deal of economic value to the nation as a whole as well as to the individual and company they are in. The value of such competencies and skills cannot be taken too lightly, and the development of the same cannot be gambled with.
Competencies and skills aside, the modern day advancements in technology are somehow a relief to workers. The promises they bring are quite attractive. Technology has been for a long time described as an improvement and enhancement to daily life and work activities. However, with an increase in technology in this modern era, there seems to be an almost proportionate requirement for the worker to transition to the changes done (Hilton 75). There are, therefore, a lot of paradigm shifts and increased demands for momentum increase and demand for better management of the individual worker. The result of these factors is a worker who merely gets by. These factors are breeding workers who lack motivation and will happily jump ship if an opportunity presents itself. The demands have proven that no job is primarily permanent. After all, the 21st century worker is taught to think strategically, and that includes an inspiration to seek greener pastures every year (Behrens and Rosen 291).
Career paths are learning processes that go on for life. In such paths, a person renews their inspiration in order to handle challenges presented in different forms in the future. While such a view frees the mind in allowing a worker to take up the next step in career growth, there is room to show that the 21st century worker is merely reacting to forces within the market (Shaw and Karen 370). The borderline between exploring fresh opportunities and the concept of moving before getting moved is fragile. Such are the modern day headaches in the employment sector. One struggles so much to get into the workforce but has to struggle even more to remain there.
In the current work environment, full-time work is no longer the answer to many questions. As a matter of fact, what one requires is to be employed. To thrive as well as survive in the 21st century workplace- both literally and figuratively, one needs to place a lot of emphasis on employment that presents opportunity for growth, enterprise, flexibility, change, risk and innovation. In addition, the 21st century worker must have a passion in whatever work they indulge in. There are a lot of demands to be met in the employment sector. Among the most significant trend is the need to have competencies and skills in management and administration. This assures that a worker is familiar with conflict resolution, their job requirement and other associated skills like budgeting, team leading, communication and leadership skills (Hilton 75).
In conclusion, the work environment in the 21st century has gone through tremendous changes. Despite the advancements in technologies, the worker faces challenges every day with the changes in the workplace. In order to avoid stressful environments, this paper recommends that every worker be equipped with the basic as well as advanced competencies and skills to be able to not only operate but be a critical part of the modern 21st century worker who is free of stress and finds satisfaction in the job they are currently in.
Works Cited
Behrens, Laurence and Rosen, Leonard J. Writing and reading across the curriculum 12th Edition
Hilton, Margaret. "Skills For Work In The 21St Century: What Does The Research Tell Us?."
Academy Of Management Perspectives 22.4 (2008): 63-78. Business Source Premier. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
Shaw, Lynn, and Karen Jacobs. "Advancing The Knowledge Base On Work Transitions In The
21St Century." Work 41.4 (2012): 367-368. Business Source Premier. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
