S1 Ep15: The Future of Work is Now! (Summer Repeat)

In this episode of Careers Conversations, DCU Career Advisor
Siobhan Murphy is joined on the line by David Collings,
Professor of HRM and Associate Dean for Research at DCU
Business School, along with Brian
Harney, Associate Professor of Strategy and HRM at DCU Business
School. 





Listen to this fast moving conversation to discover the likely
impact of AI, Automation and Machine Learning on the world of
work, and the importance of career management as a core skill to
navigate the Future of Work. The Gig Economy is also explained,
along with the usefulness of Microcredentials.  





Explore Your Interest in the Future of
Work: Download Enabling the Workforce of
the Future – The Role of Learning and Development. This
research was carried out by Professor David Collings &
Assistant Professor John McMackin from DCU Business School.





Our Guests:


David Collings, Professor of HRM and Associate Dean for
Research at DCU Business School


David has been a visiting professor at a number of international
universities including King's College London and Cornell
University where he was a Fulbight Scholar. His research focus is
on talent management, staffing and the future of work. He has
been named as one of the most influential thinkers in HRM on four
occasions by HR Magazine. 





Brian Harney, Associate Professor of Strategy and HRM at
DCU Business School. 


Brian is former Programme Director of the award winning MSc in
HRM and plays a leading role in the school’s SME management
development programmes. He is currently Principal Investigator of
GETM3, a 1 million EURO EU funded project exploring
entrepreneurial talent management. 





This episode was recorded on 29th of April 2020.






Shownotes


0.05-01:15


Introduction to the show by Siobhan Murphy (Host) to David
Collings, Professor of HRM and Associate Dean of Research, DCU
Business School and to Brian Harney, Associate Professor in DCU
Business School





01:15- 9:26


What is the Future of Work?


From David Collings:


The Future of Work is already here, it is not a distant reality


Impact on low and also high skilled jobs


Research has shown that Artificial intelligence has an impact on
the detection rates of cancer but critically people and
technology working together significantly reduce the error rate.
Pace of change is very fast so it is very important to
continually work on skills and keep relevant. David and Siobhán
discuss robotics, innovation and new roles emerging.





9:26- 15:48


What is the Gig Economy?


From Brian Harney


In the most simplistic terms it is how firms acquire talent
services. Mostly short periods of time. The Gig economy is hugely
variable. Provides flexibility and independence on the one hand
but it can result in precariousness and uncertainty. Key
challenge of HR is to get managers to delegate across. Accessing
skills externally not available in the firm is important.
Discussion with Siobhan and Brian regarding expanding our
understanding of working in a team to include those doing a ‘gig’
within the firm





15:48-17:32


What are the skills that will be needed in the
future?


From David Collings


Most marketable are the skills which interface with technology.
Soft/transversal skills such as leadership, teamwork are very
important. Technical skills such as machine learning, artificial
intelligence and broader digital skills. Critical thinking is
important so studies such philosophy are still very much
relevant. Important to hit the ‘sweet spot’ between traditional
learning and technical skills. 





17:32 -20:14


What are microcredentials?


From Brian Harney


Links to the fast pace of change.  Continuous learning and
self directed learning.


Practical problems do not respect disciplinary boundaries.
Development of holistic skills and the value of the Arts.
Microcredentials are short courses to hone a particular skill and
you build output from there.





20:14-23:34


Are we adapting to the future of work or are there alarm
bells?


Firms are not putting enough emphasis internally on developing
skills needed for future work. There is always tension between
the short term needs and the future. Increased level of
responsibility on the individual to drive their own learning.
Evidence suggests that high skilled contractors in the gig
economy are upskilling quickly and better than what is happening
in-house.  





23:34 - 27.00


Career Management as a Core Skill


From Siobhan Murphy


Career Management as a core competency over the lifespan.
Examples of times in your life other than second or third level
you might consider getting professional career guidance. If you
are getting stuck writing the next chapter of your life, role and
type of role changing, redundancy, mergers, life events such
bereavement can trigger an evaluation.





27:00-29:15


Career Management - Holding yourself accountable


From Brian Harney


Remember you are the sum of who you interact with.  You are
a network orchestrator. Brian explores the value of mentoring,
reverse mentoring and peer coaching. Engage your friends in doing
a microcredential together or committing to doing one. Make
yourself accountable for your intentions. Siobhán joins the
discussion explaining the two career management meta competencies
of knowing how to change and critically when to change.



29:15 - 33:41


Career Management - Confidence and Imposter
Syndrome


From David Collings


The usefulness of having confidence in yourself and your
abilities. The challenge of imposter syndrome and that it is a
shared experience. Examine what is holding you back. Research
indicates that females are very hard on themselves and unless
they check all the boxes can hold back from applying. Siobhan
joins the discussion and suggests how applicants whether male or
female can better decide on making applications. Siobhan reveals
the challenge of setting up this podcast series and can empathise
with the feelings of imposter syndrome





33:41 - 39:43 


Career Stories of David Collings and Brian Harney.
 


David and Brian share their career journeys. Notably both had
setbacks which opened up other opportunities instead. Both
acknowledged the role of mentors in their working lives.





39:43-43:30


Top Tips from David Collings and Brian Harney


Don’t limit yourself or be limited by others. Luck is where
preparation meets opportunity. Take everything as a learning
opportunity. Everyone fails. Learn from both the successes and
the failures.