Many of the clients I work with focus on careers and jobs; setting goals, looking at options and executing plans to pursue a career that they are passionate about. One thing I have come to realise recently is that in order for this process to be most effective some consideration needs to be given to external factors that will have a mayor impact on the employment sector in Ireland over the next 5 years. When pursing a new career, change of jobs etc. it may make more sense to focus your efforts on employment growth areas as opposed to more traditional employment sectors that have stagnated or are in decline. If you are adamant that you wish to pursue a career in a stagnating or declining employment sector then you need to give some serious thought to what you are going o do to buck the trend.

I would not be overly concerned with the graduate out there because the 3^rd level education system that we have in Ireland does a pretty good job of keeping up with trends and offering a wide range of education and training programs that match the job market. In addition, all forecasts predict that we currently have and will continue to have into the foreseeable future, a shortfall in Ireland between graduate demand and supply.

I am however concerned about people who are presently between the ages of 28 and 55 who have a good portion of their working lives ahead of them but could find that the skills and knowledge that are valuable in their current roles will be of absolutely little or no benefit in 5 years time.

These more mature employees who find themselves out of a job in 5 years time are also faced with the added challenge of competing against fresh graduates and ever increasing numbers of educated immigrants who will work for lower salaries, can be moulded and groomed and have received an education in line with the specific demands of the current job market.

If you are currently employed in either the manufacturing or agricultural sectors for example, chance are the job you are doing now will either not exist or be completely transformed by 2011 (just 5 years from now).

We are expected to have on average 5 jobs per lifetime so it is fair to imply that the vast majority of those people between the ages of 30 and 50 will change jobs at least once in the next 5-10 years. Some people will be made redundant, some people will decide to set up their own business, others will just move jobs either as a promotion, demotion or side shuffle, more will retire early and others will exit the employment sector for various other reasons.

You have two options in relation to career, you can (a) keep going as you are and react to any changes that occur as they occur (ostrich syndrome), (b) spend a little time now looking at trends in your industry, evaluating what you want out of life and start taking some actions to prepare you for the inevitable change that you can not avoid.

Lets imagine for a moment that you have access to a time machine, which allows you to travel in time to 5 years into the future from today. On that date in 2011, you find yourself in a position where you are changing jobs. This new job is a great one, something you are really excited and passionate about, it may be a promotion or a total change of industry or even early retirement but what ever it is, it is a positive change that you feel really good about. Staying in 2011, look and think back over the previous 5 years and ask yourself, what did I do that got me this job? What choices did I make? Who else was involved? What skills did I develop and learn?

When you have completed this “internal assessment” and have a very clear picture of what you need to do to make your dream future a reality, conduct an “external assessment” by asking a few more questions.

1. What is the likelihood that this job/career will exist in 5 years time?
2. What evidence do I have that supports the fact that this job will exist in 5 years time?
3. Of the growth employment sectors now, which of them would I be interested in getting involved in?
4. What skills will employers be looking for in 5 years time?
5. What do I need to do to maximise my employability over the next 5 years?

The internal assessment involves quantifying your own skills, strengths, dreams and ambitions while the external assessment involves evaluating trends and changes in the economy, employment market, demographics, technological advancements and legislation that will all play major roles in defining how, where and when we all work into the future.

By becoming more aware of these changes, we can start making choices and when we make choices we get the results we want and the future we deserve.

REMEMBER: Awareness gives you choices and choices give you results.

On a personal note, I would like to welcome Gearoid Towey and Ciaran Lewis back from their recent attempted row across the Atlantic Ocean. Gearoid and Ciaran experienced near death situations when their boat capsized in the middle of the Atlantic. Luckily both made it home safely. When Gearoid was asked about his plans for the future and whether or not he would attempt the same feat again he replied, “Life is short and should be lived”. I think there is a lesson there for all of us. It struck me that here is a guy who is really living his dreams. We are on this plant to live not just exist.

If you have any data, comments or views on future trends, I would be very interested to hear from you. Please feel free to email me with your comments on this or any other article that has appeared in this column.

GOOD LUCK!

Fergal O’Connor is a Business and Personal Life Coach working in partnership with his Business and Private clients providing a supportive, confidential, challenging and non-judgemental environment to make their ambitions and dreams a reality. Fergal can be contacted at Synergy Coaching Services, Tel: (061) 467287, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Copyright Ó Synergy Coaching Services 2006.