How to get – and stay – ahead

Wherever you currently are in your studies or career, you’re continually told that the only way to find a good job, be noticed for promotion, and build a secure future is to rise above mediocrity. But what exactly does that mean? And more importantly, how do you go about doing so?

First: Define Mediocrity

To understand how to rise above mediocrity, we first have to understand what it is. According to vocabulary.com, mediocrity means:

“The quality of being average or ordinary.”

Taking this a step further, average, according to Merriam Webster dictionary, is:

“A level that is typical of a group, class, or series: a middle point between extremes.”

With these definitions in mind, consider that there are currently just shy of 8 billion people in the world. If you take a close look at your chosen career, you’ll be joining a global pool of millions who have chosen a similar path to you. Rising above mediocrity, therefore, means having the ability to differentiate yourself; being able to stand out from the crowd and rise above the “players in the middle” of that industry.

Second: Evaluate the Current Landscape

As outlined in our article, “Three critical skills for school leavers”, the world is changing, and your ability to change with it is as important as your formal education.

Many industries are experiencing Digital Transformation, and this is speeding up the pace at which the business world is being altered. The advancements in AI, machine learning and automation are (and will continue) creating a situation where a slip into mediocrity is the biggest challenge faced by today’s youth. Here are just a few of the current statistics:

 

1/4	The number of jobs in the US that face a high risk of displacement due to automation by 2030. (Brookings)
49%	The number of young workers (aged 16 to 24) who face the highest risk of task automation. (Brookings)
44%	The number of low education workers that will be at risk of technological unemployment by 2030. (PwC)
70%	The number of workers who believe that automation will bring opportunities to qualify for higher-skilled work. (International Federation of Robotics)

 

Third: Develop a Plan

It goes without saying that to become futureproof in an increasingly digital world, you need to rise above mediocrity.

One way to stay ahead of the masses is to differentiate yourself by:

1. Understanding the real world,
2. understanding how your actions impact the global picture, and
3. knowing how to apply the theory and practical knowledge you’ve gained from your studies at the meeting point of the two.

Stay Ahead

UniHaven provides the ideal platform from which to start building your futureproof career plan.

With leading partner universities in Ireland, the UK, and the USA, UniHaven not only provides a gateway to high-quality international education but exposes you to an environment where you can develop your ability to collaborate with others from around the world in a practical way.

Stay ahead with UniHaven. Contact us today for a range of study opportunities.