Employees should adequately prepare for work places of the future and continuously adapt to changes in work environments if they are to be career resilient. The call, was made by Mercy K Kainobwisho, the Registrar General Uganda Registration Services Bureau while speaking at a virtual presentation on the theme “Career Resilience: What is it exactly and what does it take to build it?” organized by the Career and Skills Development Centre of Makerere University Business School yesterday.
She said organisations have been reviewing the human capital landscape largely because of the economic hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic combined with technological advancements.
“Technology has led to massive disruptions in the job market leading to several job losses especially when skills one possesses are less relevant in today’s work place. There has been an emergence of virtual workspaces, new business processes, and use of artificial intelligence, big data and robotics for tasks that were previously performed by humans,” she said
“To be career resilient, learn to adapt to changes, be flexible and relevant at the work place, always get new knowledge and have a vision of what direction you want your career to take. Avoid following dead careers, continuously audit and assess your skill set,” she added
Prof. Waswa Balunywa, the Principal of Makerere University Business School, who gave opening remarks at the presentation, advised participants to focus on growing interpersonal skills, commitment, and ability to understand leadership, and manage conflict wherever they are if they want to be resilient in their careers.
“Make sure the work environment where you are is ideal, have the necessary skills and knowledge for your job, and always consider what contribution you are making towards your specific profession in order to be resilient in your career,” Prof. Balunywa said.
The presentation, which attracted over 80 participants, was moderated by Maureen Tweyongyere, Director, Career & Skills Development Centre Makerere University Business School.