“Soft skills are and will always be an important skill needed in the workplace,” Fellows explained.
“Technology can evolve quickly, but the ability to collaborate, communicate, problem-solve and lead is what makes individuals promotable.”
Arnold and Fellows agree that skills like effective communication, critical thinking, problem solving, professionalism, time management and the ability to work well with others are all essential.
“The key is employability,” Whitmore said. “You have to be a lifelong learner, and you have to take initiative to learn skills that you might not know. When navigating a period of uncertainty, the more you can develop your skills and have broader your skill set, the better that’s going to be for you.”
Keep Learning, Keep Earning
“An important habit to build would be constant learning,” said Fellows. “Professionals should read regularly about things happening in their field, as well find and participate in short courses or certifications that can expand their knowledge and skills.”
Taking short courses and earning certifications like Fellows mentioned is often referred to as upskilling and micro credentialing, phrases that are all over LinkedIn right now. But what does that mean? Both focus on the concept of continued learning through short, structured programs. Once completed, those credentials can be added to resumes or LinkedIn pages as digital badges to highlight particular skills or competencies.
“The business world is very competitive,” Whitmore said. “When a job becomes available, you have to put yourself forward and convince people why you are the best candidate."
"Having some of this credentialing and upskilling can help differentiate you from others who might be competing for the same position.”
Fellows noted that employers recognize the value of this added learning, particularly for rapidly evolving fields like data, IT and project management. What’s more, even taking these courses shows initiative, curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning.
But Arnold adds a layer to this approach, noting that it’s important to be intentional and focused about where you are investing your time and effort.
“The goal isn’t collecting credentials,” Arnold said. “It is more about demonstrated capability and applied learning that can be translated into value and outcomes for an organization or small business.”
Leading in an Era of Rapid Change
Whitmore, who has spent a good portion of his life focused on studying leadership development, has a saying: Leaders cast long shadows. Simply put, people look to their leaders and are influenced by them. To foster a culture of learning, leaders need to be actively engaged in learning also.
“I think that being a good leader requires that you allow for some level of experimentation and a threshold to allow failures to happen, knowing that you still have to protect the bottom line and produce good outcomes,” said Raber.
Whitmore agrees that a supportive atmosphere – not just lip service – can make all the difference for employees.
“A leader has to express the importance of learning and be supportive of it,” he said. “You need to incorporate time for learning these new skills into an employee’s responsibilities.”
A Final Note on AI
Feeling wary of artificial intelligence? That’s normal, and Raber would even argue that it’s healthy to have a little skepticism.
“I would say that people are right to be a little wary of it. It’s disrupting every kind of industry out there, whether it’s a small disruption or a big disruption.”
If you are interested in learning more about AI, Raber recommends exploring some available resources, including LinkedIn Learning, where there are full courses related to AI. Other options include YouTube channels, such as Jeff Su, Dan Martell and Paul Lipsky. TechCrunch and Forbes AI are also great places to learn more.
Ready for the Future
Work will keep evolving in unpredictable ways, but the qualities that help people succeed remain the same. As technology changes and industries shift, curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning will set professionals apart.
Wherever you are in your career, staying relevant means staying engaged. Kent State alumni always have access to resources through Career Exploration and Development, including resume assistance, headshots and other tools. Alumni can also connect with each other through Flashes Connect, our alumni mentoring program.
By combining technical knowledge with critical thinking, meaningful relationships and a willingness to keep learning, Golden Flashes can confidently navigate whatever comes next.
