Two years ago, after an interview on 702, I posted a short article on the possible jobs today’s children might do in 2022. It’s a great list with some careers, it seems impossible, our children might be doing so soon. Well, impossible if you’ve been living in a cave for the last 20 years and haven’t been exposed to the amazing progress we’re making in some areas.
Here’s a short list of some of the possible jobs I posted….
- Body part maker
- Nano-medic
- Memory augmentation surgeon
- ‘New science’ ethicist
- Vertical farmers
- Climate change reversal specialist
- Classroom avatar manager
- Waste data handler
- Virtual clutter organizer
In 2023 a Dutch non-profit organisation called Mars One, plans to start a Human Settlement on Mars. They describe what they’re doing like this:
Mars One is a not-for-profit organization that will take humanity to Mars in 2023, to establish the foundation of a permanent settlement from which we will prosper, learn, and grow. Before the first crew lands, Mars One will have established a habitable, sustainable outpost designed to receive astronauts every two years. To accomplish this, Mars One has developed a precise, realistic plan based entirely upon existing technologies. It is both economically and logistically feasible, in motion through the integration of existing suppliers and experts in space exploration. We invite you to participate in this journey, by sharing our vision with your friends, by supporting our effort and, perhaps, by becoming the next Mars astronaut yourself.
They’re launching a televised global selection process this year and are looking for Mars Colony Pioneers. The most interesting thing for me, is that they’re not looking for pilots and astronauts (necessarily). Much of these previously required skills will be taken care of by technology.
From a South African perspective, you may find it interesting that Elon Musk (the billionaire SpaceX CEO) is interested in Mars as well. From Space.com:
“At Mars, you can start a self-sustaining civilization and grow it into something really big,” Musk told an audience at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London on Friday (Nov. 16). Musk was there to talk about his business plans, and to receive the Society’s gold medal for his contribution to the commercialization of space.
We do live in exciting times. I’m not sure how one goes about preparing for 2020 and beyond, but I have a strong sense that it shouldn’t look anything like how I was prepared for leaving school in 1987. And while this type of initiative may seem a little far-fetched from today’s perspective, I think that not paying attention to it, especially from an education and personal development perspective, may leave you unprepared for the future, and possibly worse, stuck on earth!
