How psychology can propel Gen Z career success

WORKPLACES are being reshaped by artificial intelligence (Al), automation and digital tools. A significant consequence of this shift is that the human skills which machines struggle to learn and replicate are now in high demand.

- DR JACLYN LOTTER

While tech far outstrips human capacity when it comes to routine tasks, analysing data and making calculations, at its best it can only superficially mimic human interactions. There is still no depth to the machine's understanding of interpersonal dynamics, emotions or decision-making.

The skill set identified as people skills or soft skills is now being referred to as the “power skill set” by the World Economic Forum — and is considered the most in-demand skill set for the future workforce. This rise in the need for the most human of skills is impacting the choices that Gen Zs are making when it comes to their tertiary education.

Human skills

There’s growing recognition that as tech takes over routine and analytical tasks, it is those with well-developed human skills who will be most adept at stepping into roles that demand ingenuity, leadership, resilience and the ability to function effectively in flexible, agile and adaptive workplaces.

To prepare themselves for the world of work, Gen Zs are increasingly seeking out study paths that give them opportunities to develop their emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, collaboration, communication, empathy and ethics.

Human skills have become even more relevant because we are at a pivotal time when people have to become much better at the skills and roles that machines cannot replace.