Mono, dual, multi – The classic dilemma

if I have appropriately comprehended the generally accepted age bracket of Gen X then I would claim that I belong to Gen X. Born in 1968, 57 years, still putting decent amount of time, sweat and mind to earn money. 

I belong to the generation which was introduced to the new frontiers in education and employment. Information Technology was in its nascent stage. It was not called IT in those days. You could be doing an MCA or Masters in Computer Application. However, only crème de la crème would get into the most covetous MCA courses. Most youngsters like me would get into short courses in computer programming. Those days, DBASE, Object Oriented Programming were the surefire skills to get a job. 

 

Yet, graduate degree was enough to earn a decent job. Though salary levels in those days were pretty low compared to the entry level salaries offered now. 

Job profile in my time was uncomplicated. If you are a commerce graduate then you could be doing petty cash and vendor payments or accounts finalization or banking. By the way, banking was not glorified as treasury operations. If you are a mechanical or electrical engineer then you could be doing shop floor operations, quality control or materials management. If you are a bachelor of arts then you could be in the personnel or industrial relation department 

Opening of Indian economy in early 90s led to deeper and wider integration with the outside world. This led to secular change in the job profiles. Trans-border business designs such as foreign collaborations, setting up Indian subsidiaries by multi-nationals, export-oriented units came into existence. Consequently, job profiles too changed suited to the changed requirements 

Organizations begun looking for people with the past experience of working in these kinds of business entities. Thus, you being a CA or an MBA was not enough. if you have pretty linear job experience then you could face immense challenges to shift to this new kind of organizations. You ought to know far more than routine job. This led to young CA/MBA/BTech/MTechs to seek another specialization in their respective fields. For example, a Chartered Accountant with 5+ years of experience would go for the formal education in GAAP/IFRS.  A BTech/MTech would go for the formal education in mechatronics – blend of mechanical and electronics or power electronics, medical electronics and so on. 

Progressively, dual specialization became an ace in the card for career progression

There was subtle shift in the employer expectations. Earlier, the number of years of experience was considered to be an asset for an organization. No longer. The richness of experience mattered along with the number of years of experience. Consider a case in the point. There are two candidates in the fray. One has 15 years of experience handling Accounts. Second too has 15 years of experience handling accounts. But, the second candidate has handled global accounting in 5 out of 15 years. Besides, the candidate has gone through formal training in the global accounting practices. Apparently, the second candidate would be preferred. 

The advent of computers was double whammy for employees in their mid-40s. First, they had to grapple with heightened expectations of dual skill and on the top of it, they had to be well versed with computers. Naturally, the situation led to heightened stress levels. 

Today, some are enamored, some are petrified by the Artificial Intelligence and its generative form. And some are deeply skeptical about its utility and threat perception in terms of cannibalization of roles. 

The Advent of computers too then was received by the working class with similarly diverse responses. Trade Unions had vehemently opposed the use of computers as they were vastly apprehensive about the permanent job losses. 

Computerization slowly but definitely penetrated every aspect of work and personal life over the years. On one hand, computerization confirmed the fears of permanent job losses. On the hand, It also confirmed the continuing benefits in terms of ability to volume, speed and  accuracy. 

Computerization too has come of age. The Data entry and processing was the most rudimentary form. Today’s computerization would appear as the metamorphosis compared to the initial form – data entry and processing. 

Organizations found that staff are underutilized as some of the routine desk procedure and repetitive tasks are handled by the IT systems. Higher end IT systems are capable of self-correcting procedures. Thus, IT systems have surreptitiously elevated the job skill requirements. Analysis and decision making has become an integral and implicit expectation at every level in an organization. 

Nowadays, multi-skills have become the buzzword. HR teams are busy working with core functional teams to identify adjacent skills each individual can be trained so that each staff is full utilized and is capable to perform a variety of tasks. 

Hence, Gen Z has to brace up to the new challenges No longer you can be complacent to possess dual skill specialization. “Jack of all” is the king, most sought after. Gen Z has to constantly usher into what organizational expectations is, which skills are in demand, which skills are logically adjacent to core competence. 

It does not matter how you acquire skills – formal training or on the job. Versatility matters a lot. 

My generation has seen it all. Therefore, the message to Gen Z – Keep ears to the ground all the time. Make sure your resume is embellished with skills and experience. This will keep you afloat and further help you to progress 

Cheers !!! 

Blunt Puru | datepuru@gmail.com | 27-Apr-2024