Creativity, AI, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills are core skill sets that are in extremely strong demand for 2026 and beyond, based on data gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' projections, the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report and Coursera's Job Skills Report, From these skills, there are three specific skills that are directly tied to high-paying jobs, which are already in demand right now.
One of my favourite career theories, because it very much fits how I have experienced my worklife, is planned happenstance. It flips the what I call "This is what everyone thinks of career planning" idea on its head. As we've heard in previous episodes in this series, conventional career planning theory suggests doing some self reflection, setting a goal, making a plan and marching towards it. But the truth is careers rarely play out in straight lines these days. Planned happenstance theory says stop treating luck as random. Instead, build the skills to take advantage of it.
