5 High-value Skills for Success in Your Career “Master high-value skills and your life will be settled” is a common phrase we hear throughout our academic and professional journey. However, this might not be the complete truth. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are essential skills for success in both academic and professional journeys. Mastering these skills can lead to job creation and job elimination. Start with Python and explore various libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and TensorFlow. Salesmanship is crucial for success in any career, as it involves selling oneself through speech, attire, salary expectations, and personal relationships. Effective writing differentiates brands from mediocre ones, and social media and personal branding are essential for gaining attention and advancing in your career. Focus on discoverability and mastering these skills to succeed in your professional journey. 1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning The ability to use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools in your workflow is going to be crucial in the next five years. Regardless of your field, understanding the basics of these tools can help you accomplish more in less time. Job descriptions will soon include the requirement of knowing AI tools and prompt engineering. The demand for AI and ML skills is skyrocketing across the globe. While AI is predicted to eliminate about 8.7 crore jobs in the next five years, it’s also expected to create 6.9 crore new jobs. To seize these opportunities, start with Python as your programming language, then learn about different Python libraries like NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and frameworks like TensorFlow and Scikit-learn. Once you’ve mastered these, move on to understanding different types of models, neural networks, deep learning, and how to create deep neural networks to solve specific problems. If you’re unsure about where to start, AWS offers a free Machine Learning Basics course that covers essential concepts, terminology, and phases of the machine learning pipeline. Read More: The Future of AI in Digital Marketing: Opportunities and Challenges 2. Salesmanship The second high-value skill that most people neglect is salesmanship. Consider two individuals: one holds the Guinness World Record for being the best salesman in the world, and the other is Jordan Belfort, the infamous salesman portrayed in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Both excel at persuading others to take action, a skill that many college students and early-career professionals lack. We are all salespeople in some way or another. We sell ourselves for opportunities through our speech, attire, salary expectations, and even in our relationships. Unfortunately, many of us are poor at selling ourselves. This skill can set you up for an amazing career if you master it. Start by striking up conversations with strangers and reading books like “Influence” and “48 Laws of Power.” 3. Effective Writing The third skill is effective writing or copywriting. This skill differentiates the best brands from mediocre ones. Clever ads stick in our minds because they have an effective copy. If a Google search of your name doesn’t yield your blogs, Instagram, or LinkedIn profiles, that’s a problem. People spend about seven seconds on your LinkedIn profile, so having a captivating headline is crucial to stand out from the crowd. The same applies to cold emails and DMs. The only way to get better at copywriting is through practice and studying successful examples. 4. People Management The fourth high-value skill is people management. Until now, you’ve been working independently – studying alone, writing exams alone, reading books alone. However, your career will involve working in teams, possibly leading people and persuading them. This skill is crucial for advancing to higher executive roles. Pranav, a staff engineer at Facebook, shared that the most important skill he uses every day is the ability to work effectively with people. He spends most of his time assigning tasks and working with his team to achieve goals. The only way to improve this skill is by working with teams in clubs and societies in your college. 5. Social Media and Personal Branding The fifth high-value skill is social media and personal branding. Most people learn a skill, send out applications, and then just wait. They keep waiting, keep getting rejected, and feel sad every time. The problem is that they’re not focusing on their discoverability. The minute I started sharing my journey and learnings on LinkedIn, I got a ton of opportunities while just in the second year of college. So put yourself out there, share your learnings, and see the magic that happens as a result. When you combine all these five skills with your core skill – knowing how to effectively use AI tools, selling something effectively, persuading people, writing effectively, managing people, being discoverable, and having a strong brand on social media – you become unstoppable. People would want to work with you and will pay you 10x more than what others are making in your same industry. Remember to hit the like button and subscribe to this channel for more valuable content. This might just be what you need to get a great head start in your career! To wrap up, don’t forget to check out the free AWS Machine Learning Basics course. It’s a great resource to help you get started with the field of AI. Read More: The Top 8 High-Demand Skills in Digital Marketing 2024 How can I improve my branding? To enhance personal branding, follow key steps: define your attributes, invest in professional photos, create a unique brand look, document and share experiences, learn to speak on camera, test different platforms, create a schedule, connect with your audience, keep social accounts relevant, and build credibility. Engage with your audience, respond to comments, participate in relevant online groups, and stay ahead of the competition. Remember, personal branding is about projecting yourself to the outside world, so be proud of your story. Improving your branding entails a few crucial steps: Define Your Attributes and Strengths: Recognize what makes you special and how you can differentiate yourself from others. Invest in high-quality photographs