Personal Versus Impersonal: Human Career Development in 2025

Emotional well-being, and likewise workplace well-being, may be dependent on the interactions of humans. A hug, a smile, and genuine advice may provide meaning and value, unlike money or a tech tool. How can a career development professional enrich clients' lives? What needs to be taken into account if a client is to escape the loss of personal relationships? Should the threats that social media poses to the workplace be explored by career development professionals, specifically the mental health implications? The battle has begun and the war is far from over. If life is about being there for one another, then impersonal technology that provides support, rather than simply performing powerfully, may set the tone for a hopeful future.

~ Melanie Reinersman, editor@careerdevelopmentalliance.com

Photo by Brey on Unsplash

FOCUS ON: The Great Detachment

Unmet needs, per Maslow’s Hierarchy, may be the reason for the disengagement of younger workers today. As happiness decreases, the call for a collaborative work culture is increasing. The duel between empowering workers through resignation and the impact on business and economic stability continues as the work-life balance desire affects the workplace. Read more.

JOB SEARCHING: Traditional Hiring and Automated Noise

Resume obsolescence may be the result of the technological battle between job seekers and employers. How can humans make authentic connections in an AI (inauthentic) world? The dubious resume may be replaced by live skill sessions, trial work programs, or the old-fashioned tool: networking. Read more.

FOR PRACTITIONERS: Humanistic Therapy

Rejecting the focus on illness and lack of development, a humanistic approach to working with clients centers on the individual’s potential for growth through free will, self-discovery and determination. Thus, celebrating the uniqueness of the person encourages a break from unhelpful patterns of behavior. A strong therapeutic relationship (i.e., human to human) is necessary for the techniques to be successful. Read more from Positive Psychology.

TOP TEN: Workplace Challenges for Tech Workers

While the survey focused on IT professionals, the top challenges (and their potential solutions) could apply to any worker today. Not surprisingly, resource and budget constraints was high on the list of challenges. The skills gap challenge is partly due to the rate of technological change. The challenge of unclear roles might be solved by involving an AI simulator which acts like a coach to aid difficult conversations. Read all ten challenges – and notice that many of the suggested resolutions involve the human side of work, such as team discussion to increase creativity.

QUOTES

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity” ~ Albert Einstein

“I remind myself that I’m always more satisfied by human interaction than by a digital connection.” ~ Maulik Pancholy

"We’re losing social skills, the human interaction skills, how to read a person’s mood, to read their body language, how to be patient until the moment is right to make or press a point. Too much exclusive use of electronic information dehumanizes what is a very, very important part of community life and living together.” ~ Vincent Nichols

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