The current state of the world calls for the ability to adapt to the changing landscape. In the past few months alone, more than 15 million people have lost their jobs due to the economic collapse caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This infers the probability that the job markets are going to be brutally competitive post-pandemic. Thus, it’s only logical that we prepare ourselves for this eventuality by ensuring that we gain an edge over our competitors. It is time to skill-up and more so to be aware on what new skills will be required in years to come.

With this in mind, here are some skills and education that we need to focus on in order to gain a definite competitive edge.

Knowledge About Artificial Intelligence

Even with the decline of demand in the tech industry, the fact that we rely more on our gadgets now should be enough reason to master artificial intelligence (AI) and its many applications. Not only is this the next piece of disruptive technology, but its implementation will eventually become the norm. Businesses that are able to harness it are going to enjoy a significant advantage over their competitors, and in order to do this, they’re going to need experts specializing in AI.

Data Analysis

Data science and machine learning-related jobs are some of the fastest growing jobs in the US. As business owners become more tech-savvy, the need for accurate and efficient data processing and interpretation cannot be overstated, especially in a world that grows ever-dependent on the sharing of information through the internet. This also applies to AI expertise.

Digital Marketing

Because most people spend more time online these days, the need for digital marketing experts has also spiked. More businesses are recognizing the importance of having an online presence, and this is bound to be reflected in a post-pandemic world to a great degree, especially considering that there are so many new online businesses.

Project Management

After the pandemic is over, there are going to be many businesses that need to rebuild and grow, depending on how they fare. In order to accomplish this, they need to be competitive in order to survive in the market. As a result, there are bound to be a plethora of projects that need to be completed.

Project managers are sure to be in demand for their ability to organize and orchestrate a unified effort toward a single goal, and also for their ability to determine whether a product is worth investing time and effort into. There are many companies that provide training for product management interviews, detail orientation, and many other related tasks.

The damage caused by COVID-19 is bound to be felt years beyond the pandemic’s end. Be that as it may, the fact remains that we’ve survived countless other global crises and this situation is no different. We’re going to rebuild and carry on, but we need to look beyond merely surviving the pandemic and into preparation for the future.