Forecasting the future is a challenge, and no prediction is going to be entirely accurate. Nevertheless, it’s helpful to look at some recent labor market projections made by the experts.

Information technology will continue to alter jobs. Computer-related and service jobs will increase, and manufacturing jobs will decrease. Growth will occur at two poles of the labor force – technical and professional jobs and low-wage jobs. Over 50 percent of new positions will be created in the high-tech areas. But a large increase will also occur in service jobs such as sales clerks, janitors and home healthcare aides.

According to projections by the US Department of Labor, jobs with the most rapid growth requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher include computer programmers and engineers, accountants, physical and occupational therapists, physicians and surgeons, teachers, speech/language experts, medical scientists and social workers.

Those requiring an associate’s degree, vocational training or on-the-job training comprise technicians, paralegals, occupational therapy assistants, sports/physical training coaches, residential counselors, clerical jobs, childcare workers, recreation attendants, corrections officers, sales personnel and medical/health assistants.

Self-employed "knowledge entrepreneurs" will market their own skills to organizations internationally. Companies will hire these consultants for specific projects on an as-needed basis. Many professionals will therefore choose to work for numerous companies on assorted projects.

Relationships between organizations themselves will continue to change. Large corporations will focus on their own core capabilities, outsourcing less proficient jobs to smaller, specialized firms.

The basic unit of work will shift from a job to a role. Instead of being a business strategist, for example, an individual will assume a more blended task position such as ‘team member.’ Performance and contributions will determine salary more than being at a certain corporate level (clerical, professional, executive).

The microchip will continue to reduce the need for urban office towers. Because of technology and flexible organizational policies, many employees will choose to work at home.

Adaptable professionals with crossover skills like business and technology degrees will be in demand. ‘Gold collar’ executives will have advanced degrees in physics, engineering or computer science with a business background. Those who can master a foreign language will have an added advantage.

Retirement at age 60 or 65 will become obsolete. As middle-aged and older workers realize they will continue to grow and develop through life, many are developing new attitudes about themselves and their careers. Some are retiring early, then embarking on entirely new occupations. Others are choosing to work part-time, return to school, establish a business or engage in other activities that provide them with a sense of meaning and purpose.

Globalization will continue to force changes. Although some workers will lose their jobs to foreign personnel, others will get new jobs created by foreign demands. ‘Electronic Immigrants’ (cross-border telecommuters) will compete against workers in affluent countries.

What You Can Do Now

1. Strengthen your generalist or transferable skills. These include the ability to manage information, design and plan, research and investigate, think critically, solve problem and make decisions. You will also need to acquire communication skills, business knowledge and technical abilities.

You must be flexible, creative, a team player, and willing to embrace new technologies. Other qualities you may wish to develop include the will to risk, resilience, optimism and environmental awareness.

2. Take responsibility for your own career. Think of yourself as a product to be marketed. Know how to package and sell your attributes.

Develop an attitude of lifelong learning. Stay current in your field. Continually upgrade your professional and technical skills. Don’t remain in repetitive jobs that may rob you of your flexibility and growth opportunities.

3. Don’t choose an occupation because experts predict it will be in demand or to please others. Rather, select an occupation that is congruent with your passion, needs, interests and skills. Know yourself and what you want. Follow your choice with confidence and courage.

If you like working with your hands or tinkering with mechanical things, explore occupations that will enable you to do this. Consider an occupation in the trades or crafts such as data processing equipment repairer, carpenter or cook. Not everyone is suited to occupations which require a university or college degree.

You have the option of creating the kind work and lifestyle you desire. In the ever-changing workplace of today or tomorrow, you can define ‘success’ in your own terms.