Jobs and Careers Summer 2023 - 415

JOBS FOR NOW
Is AI taking over the world?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been in existence since
mainframe computers were created in the 1950s, and
describes a machine's ability to carry out cognitive tasks
we associate with human minds. Computers have become
sophisticated at this, and currently there is focus - and concern
- centred on ChatGPT. This is an AI chatbot (language-processing
tool) that grasps human language as it's written and spoken.
It understands and responds: it can write emails, covering
letters, essays and poetry; answer questions and solve maths
problems; write and debug code; compose music; design
websites - and chat, like a friend.
ChatGPT's rise - and that of similar tools, such as Google's
Bard - is causing as much fear as interest. What it can be used
for is extensive, although the list of jobs it threatens is similarly
so. Roles at risk include information-gathering positions in law,
journalism and content creation. However, its scope also
targets jobs in coding, market research, financial trading,
teaching and medicine. This AI isn't without flaws. It can get
questions wrong, misunderstand requests, get overwhelmed
by complex prompts, and generate incorrect code.
Anu Madgavkar, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute,
which covers business issues, has allayed some anxieties over
ChatGPT saying, " We have to think about these things as
productivity-enhancing tools, as opposed to replacements.
There's a ton of human judgment that goes into each of these
occupations [that AI threatens]. "
coaching isn't regulated, although there's
an expectation you'll be accredited by a
professional body such as the International
Coaching Federation (ICF) or the
International Authority for Professional
Coaching and Mentoring (IAPC&M). The
work is predominantly self-employed or
freelance. with typical rates of £40-£60
an hour, although experienced coaches
can charge £100 an hour.
User experience
(UX) designer
According to the career platform The
Muse, there has been a 20% rise in hiring
within user experience design in the last
two years. The role focuses on how we
interact with websites, apps and digital
products, and a UX designer turns these
into something enjoyable to use. They
do this by studying the user experience,
measuring how easy it is to accomplish
tasks and improving ease-of-use where
necessary. Degree subjects that include
design, computing and digital media are
relevant. A junior UX designer might
start on £19,000, with experienced
designers earning up to £50,000.
appointed at NHS Band 4 level, with
starting salaries from £22,000.
Professional or
personal life coach
According to LinkedIn, this is a postCovid
growth area. Job losses in other
sectors have seen people transition to
new careers and use their skills to help
others. Coaches help clients to identify
their personal strengths and areas
for development through one-to-one
sessions. It's likely you'll give workshops
to groups, even on a business level. Life
Cyber-security analyst
In this position, you use tech systems
to assist a company or organisation in
preventing, detecting and managing
cyber threats. This involves monitoring
networks to detect and report on security
issues. You can enter without a degree by
starting in an entry-level IT job. It's
possible to work your way up through
experience and by gaining industry
certifications. There's also the option
to take an apprenticeship, where you
combine employment with studying
towards qualifications. Salaries start
at £25,000-£35,000, while managerial
roles can pay more than £70,000.
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Jobs and Careers Summer 2023

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