Fancy levelling up your skills and future-proofing your career? But the thought of slogging through a degree at university fills you with dread? Then have a read to discover well-paid, in-demand skills you can often pick up through certification in just months, not years, no degree required.
AI and information processing technology are expected to create 11 million jobs, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, while simultaneously displacing 9 million others. Robotics and autonomous systems are expected to be the largest net job displacer, with a net decline of 5 million jobs.
However, not everyone has a computer science degree or wants to take on the debt of a university course. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, employers are desperately looking for AI-skilled talent. They would consider hiring someone with little experience but who possesses AI skills.
Many people who are getting into AI are self-taught.
But you don’t necessarily need to be building AI products to have skills in AI. Did you need to be skilled in MS Word to be skilled in it? No.
You could always take Google AI training courses for the workplace and be ahead of the competition by following AI developments and new tools from sources such as The AI Exchange.
The future of work
According to the WEF’s surveyed executives, the fastest growing job roles by 2030, in percentage terms, tend to be driven by technological developments, such as advancements in AI and robotics and increasing digital access. Leading the fastest-growing jobs list are roles such as Big Data Specialist, FinTech Engineers, AI and Machine Learning Specialists and Software and Applications Developers.
It will be these specialists who develop the tools that will enable the majority of “non-technical” people to excel in the future workplace. They will enable workers and freelancers to do things only they could do in the past (i.e. code, understand LLMs, create AI bots and agents). And just like everyone else, they too will see their tasks being replaced by the very technology they created and perfected.
Prompt engineering is already seeing AI take over their work, just two years on from being one of he hottest jobs in recruitment. Some reports are saying such roles could quickly become obsolete because everyone will need to be good at AI prompting.
Allison Shrivastava, an economist at Indeed, was quoted in a Fortune article,
Prompt engineering as a skill is still definitely a good thing to have, but it’s not an entire title.
But that’s not the only thing changing.
Ditch the departments
Up to now, firms have been structured with specialist knowledge kept separate in departments such as finance, marketing, and engineering. But with readily available expertise, the usual company structure might be replaced by a “Work Chart” or Human-Agent teams, suggests Microsoft.
This would be a flexible, results-focused setup. Teams would be formed around objectives, not departments, helped by AI tools that broaden what employees can do and lead to quicker, more effective ways of working.
Microsoft says this is similar to how film production works, where specific teams come together for a project and then disband. With AI acting as research assistants, analysts, or creative collaborators, companies can quickly create small, impactful teams as needed, accessing the right skills at the right time. There is no need for a reorganisation.
This is very much like freelancing, isn’t it?
No degree required
But is there a way to attain technical qualifications and in-demand skills without doing a degree? Rachel Wells, a US career coach for freelancers, says there is.
She describes in a Forbes article that freelancers and those without a background in IT or tech can seriously boost their earning power by getting certified in sought-after skills. And the best bit? You often don’t need a university ticket to get started.
Certain certifications are highly valued and can unlock well-paid opportunities. They can also be transferable from your existing career, as we analyse here. Let’s look at some qualifications suggested by Wells that can boost your income and future-proof your freelance career.
Become a top Project Manager
While a technical background is advantageous when working for a startup or tech company, if you are the one who gets the gaffer tape out, so to speak and sorts things out, then the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification by Google could be something you might want to consider.
Many of the skills you’ve already got, like keeping clients happy, juggling deadlines and generally being the one who gets stuff done, are just what companies need. The Project Management Institute in the US expects many companies will engage more project managers in the coming years.
According to Wells’ report, an estimated 25 million new project professionals will be needed by 2030 to keep up with the demand and help close the talent gap in this field. And the pay in the US? We’re talking a decent salary of around £143,400 a year.
Becoming fluent with clever AI tools to keep everything flowing will also make you an attractive candidate.
According to a Forecast App report, for workflow automation, Zapier is a “top contender”. “Ayanza excels in AI-driven team management, while Height is known for its autonomous project management capabilities. ClickUp is a popular choice for AI knowledge management, and Wrike is praised for its AI-powered risk management features.”
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Ever been part of a team where things just seem to hum along nicely? That’s often down to something called “agile.” The Certified Scrum Master (CSM) qualification proves you get how this way of working ticks. It’s all about teamwork and cracking on with things in short bursts.
If you’ve ever been a good team player, a decent natterer, or someone who can keep the wheels turning, you’re already halfway there. And with loads of firms, especially in the tech world, loving this approach, a CSM can net you around £102,600 a year. As a freelancer, knowing agile can make you a proper catch for tech clients, and AI can even help you plan out those work “sprints” like a pro.
According to Scrum Alliance, its scrum master course is 16 hours of training (with most classes spanning 2-3 days) based on the learning objectives, followed by an online multiple-choice test. After you complete the course, you have 90 days and two attempts to pass the test. The test must be completed in one hour. Certification is not required to get a job as a scrum master, but certain employers ask for the CSM as part of a position’s qualifications.
Cloud Architect and AWS Certified Solutions Architect
Cloud computing might sound extremely technical and complicated, but stick with me on this one. You don’t need a background in code to get into this area.
Online learning platform Whizlabs says:
Anyone can learn cloud computing, regardless of whether they are a software developer or not.
Getting an account or launching resources in a cloud environment doesn’t require coding skills, but it helps to approach things in an organised and deliberate manner, similar to coders. Problem-solving skills are also beneficial, as there are always challenges to overcome.
For example, the Google Professional Cloud Architect and AWS Certified Solutions Architect certifications show you how to build and look after things online. Now, even if you’ve never written a single bit of code, if you’re good at figuring things out and seeing how all the bits fit together, you can get your head around this. Many businesses are moving everything online, so these skills are in high demand. We’re talking potential annual earnings of around £104,080 and £86,400.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) qualification proves you know your stuff when it comes to keeping digital stuff safe and sound. If you’ve always been good at following the rules, spotting potential bother, or keeping things shipshape, you’ve got some skills that’ll come in handy.
With online threats being a constant worry, folks with this know-how are earning a pretty penny. On average, around £148,140 a year. As a freelancer, you could offer your security know-how to businesses.
But do you need a degree? According to Coursera, a degree is not required to obtain the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) qualification. Though the online training site says, “While ISACA (the certifying body) doesn’t explicitly require a degree, it does necessitate a minimum of five years of professional experience in information security management, with at least three years in three or more CISM job practice areas.”
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Ever been the go-to for money advice amongst your mates? The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) qualification could be a smart career move. It’s all about helping people sort out their finances. If you’re a good listener, can explain tricky stuff in plain English, and genuinely like helping people get their ducks in a row, you’re already on the right track. Seasoned investment journalists have been known to make the shift into financial services and advisory.
There’s a demand for financial planners these days, and targeting your services to fellow freelancers could be an excellent way to focus your business. Potential earnings are around £111,592 a year. As a freelance financial planner, you could build up your own clientele and use AI to help with all the number crunching and advice.
Skills certification is the future
You don’t always need a tech degree to land a cracking, well-paid job or give your freelance earnings a proper boost. These qualifications prove that focusing on the right skills can open up a whole new world of opportunities. Combining your existing sector know-how should set you apart from the competition.
It might be useful to take on some fixed-term contracts, which may mean having to go down the PAYE agency route, but getting all the benefits of being integrated into a company’s team. You can use this time for research purposes before going out on your own.
