Recent years have witnessed groundbreaking innovation across various industries – with cutting-edge technology at its epicenter. Its impact on the workplace? The birth and rise of jobs that were unknown and unheard of previously. AI engineers, bloggers and business intelligence developers are prime examples of jobs that didn’t exist about a decade ago.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in AI are expected to grow (and change) by 21% until 2031. Given the rapid increase in technological advancement, it will be no surprise to see a completely ‘new’ list of in-demand roles in the coming years. In fact, one study suggests that 65% of children attending primary school today will end up having jobs that are presently unheard of.
Shelly’s Inspirational Career Journey
Shelly Stotzer, Crosworks’ owner and CEO, is recognized for her visionary leadership and business acumen. Her unique perspective, deep knowledge of the working world and a ‘people first’ approach make her stand out as a sought-after career and leadership coach.
Shelly’s diverse career portfolio and achievements stem from her commitment to remain curious, to dive in, to take on challenges, to know more and to learn more. She may not have had a target role in mind when starting her career, but she always had a passion for learning and developing herself. “When I was in high school, I had no idea what a data analyst or a career coach was. I didn’t know about the vast number of industries out there, let alone publishing or solar,” recalls Shelly.
However, a few years later, equipped with a business degree, Shelly landed her first job as a corporate audit specialist, where she combed through reports and identified data inconsistencies. She spent a couple of years in that role until the company was bought out, and the job no longer existed.
Shelly later joined Safelite Auto Glass as a financial analyst and did everything from creating market spreadsheets to analyzing how mobile units could be dispatched efficiently. “I spent a few years there learning about spreadsheets, data and the AS 400 and other technology that I had never been trained on but was curious about.”
Later, having acquired strong analytical skills and exposure to new technology, Shelly joined a publishing company, Highlights for Children. “I moved into the publishing industry knowing nothing about publishing but remembering the magazine as a kid,” she explains. From analyzing marketing costs and sales data to becoming the chief marketing officer, Shelly credits this remarkable journey to her innate drive and curiosity, raising her hand and asking as many questions as possible – all so that she could learn and grow.
Prior to acquiring Crosworks, Shelly launched the residential solar division at IGS Energy. There, she created multi-channel brand marketing strategies and built a high-performing team that established the division’s entire operating infrastructure. Today, as owner, CEO and leadership coach at Crosworks, Shelly counsels clients and helps them target best-fit opportunities to attain personal fulfillment and breakthrough results.
Through Shelly’s remarkable career progression , we learn that while the careers of tomorrow may not even exist today, by focusing on developing transferable skills, staying curious and being willing to reinvent yourself, individuals can navigate the ever-evolving job landscape with confidence.
New Paths to Career Success
In advice to today’s youth, Shelly says, “When you’re exploring career paths, find things that you enjoy. Find things that you’re curious about. Raise your hand. Ask good questions. Take some of those jobs that you might not exactly know where they will lead, but you’re going to dive in there and learn. From there, your eyes will be opened, and new paths will be created that you don’t even know exist today.”
Shelly’s story offers relief from the pressure that many young professionals feel to ‘get it right’ immediately after graduation. Instead, she shares that the process is less about getting the exact answer and more about learning, exploring and figuring out what you enjoy so that you can experience fulfillment in your personal and professional lives.
If you are a student, a recent graduate or an aspiring individual pursuing your first career opportunity, our carefully designed Future Focus program can help you assess your natural interests and skills that will enable better career decision-making. Schedule a free consultation with a Career Strategist to understand how this program will help you achieve future career success.