The fundamental theme of AI Job Defense is how to assist you in embracing and working with AI to ensure you career and own personal goals can flourish in an world filled with AI touch points.
We have put together this simple multi-step worksheet on how to put together your own personal action plan for skilling up, growing your human characteristics and ultimately succeeding.
Part 1: Self-Assessment and Goal Setting
In this section one must honestly ask oneself what is your current state of mind and knowledge with respect to AI Technologies. It’s ok to be a beginner, but knowing your limits is the first step in surpassing them.
1.1 Self-Assessment
- Current Understanding of AI: Rate your current understanding of AI technologies and their impact on your industry (1-10 scale).
- Skills Inventory: List your current skills and categorize them into AI-related and non-AI-related skills.
- Openness to Learning: How open and prepared are you to learn new skills or deepen existing ones? (1-10 scale)
- Personal Strengths and Weaknesses: Identify your strengths and weaknesses concerning adapting to AI changes.
1.2 Goal Setting
- Long-Term Vision: Describe where you want to be in your career 5 years from now, considering the impact of AI.
- SMART Goals: Set 3-5 SMART goals that will help you move towards your long-term vision.
Part 2: Identifying Skill Gaps and Charting Your Learning Path
This section requires a bit of work. As a beginner it is totally normal to “not-know-what you don’t know”, but one cannot use this as an excuse. The resources are out there. Even at a high level, read and learn about this space and where you might find interest in it. Only when that is accomplished can you identify the area’s of most value to you!
2.1 Identifying Skill Gaps
- Required Skills: Based on your industry’s trends, list the skills you need to acquire or improve.
- Gap Analysis: Compare your current skills inventory with the required skills to identify gaps.
2.2 Learning Path
- Resources and Activities: For each identified skill gap, list resources (courses, books, workshops) and activities (projects, networking) that can help you develop these skills.
- Timeline: Set a realistic timeline to achieve your learning goals.
Part 3: Building and Leveraging Professional Networks
This is a critical stage and can take some time, it’s also a little old fashioned. But as you learn, reach out, reach out to people you know that might have more insight. Reach out to those who appear knowledgeable in your area of interest. Don’t be afraid to ask. We’ve all been there.
3.1 Networking Goals
- Networking Opportunities: Identify forums, communities, and professional groups that align with your AI learning goals.
- Engagement Plan: Create a plan to engage with these networks (e.g., attending events, participating in discussions).
3.2 Knowledge Sharing
- Contribution Ideas: List ways you can contribute to your networks, such as sharing insights, leading a discussion, or volunteering.
Part 4: Continuous Development and Innovation
Believe in your ability to bring the things you learn to the workplace. Even the tiniest application of an AI technology or skillset can amaze both your colleagues as well as your superiors.
4.1 Innovation at Work
- Innovation Opportunities: Identify opportunities within your organization or personal projects where you can apply AI insights or technologies.
- Action Steps: Outline steps you can take to initiate or contribute to these innovation opportunities.
4.2 Continuous Learning Commitment
- Learning Schedule: Plan a regular learning schedule (e.g., hours per week) dedicated to AI and related fields.
- Update Mechanism: Decide how you will keep your knowledge up-to-date (e.g., subscriptions to relevant publications, annual conferences).
Part 5: Growth Mindset and Resilience
We’re headed for challenging times. You can be part of the problem, or part of the solution. It’s not going to be easy. It’s not going to come without failure. Learn to fail gracefully but with addition of knowledge.
5.1 Challenges and Solutions
- Anticipated Challenges: List potential challenges you might face in your AI resilience journey.
- Strategies for Overcoming Challenges: For each challenge, identify strategies or resources that can help you overcome it.
5.2 Reflection and Adjustment
- Regular Review Points: Schedule regular intervals (e.g., every 3 months) to review and adjust your action plan as needed.
- Growth Mindset Affirmations: Write down affirmations that reinforce a growth mindset and resilience.