Career Services

Emerging technology is a term generally used to describe a new technology, but it may also refer to the continuing development of an existing technology.

It can have slightly different meaning when used in different areas, such as media, business, science, or education.

The term commonly refers to technologies that are currently developing, or that are expected to be available within the next five to ten years.

The term is also used to refer to technologies that are creating, or are expected to create, significant social or economic effects.

Examples of emerging technologies

They include but are not limited to:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): this refers to the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.
• 5G Networks: these are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before. The networks will provide wireless connections at the speed and latency needed for complex solutions like driverless vehicles.
• Cloud computing: this refers to the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
• Robotics: This refers to the automation of routine processes by using machines to make businesses faster, less expensive and more efficient
• Biometrics: Biometrics is physical or behavioural human characteristics that can be used to digitally identify a person to grant access to systems, devices or data. Examples of these biometric identifiers are fingerprints, facial patterns, voice or typing rhythm. Each of these identifiers is considered unique to the individual, and they may be used in combination to ensure greater accuracy of identification
• 3D printing: 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a method of creating a three dimensional object layer-by- layer using a computer created design.
• Virtual reality (VR): Virtual reality is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user suspends belief and accepts it as a real environment. On a computer, virtual reality is primarily experienced through two of the five senses: sight and sound.
• Drones: a drone refers to an unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft. Another term for it is an “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle,” or UAV.

Social media refers to websites and applications that are designed to allow people to share content quickly, efficiently, and in real-time.

Examples of social media include; Facebook, twitter, WhatsApp, linked in and Pinterest.

With increased use of technology, social media applications are becoming very popular and they offer unlimited possibilities for the enhancement of career guidance and counselling services. Social media can play the following roles:

Social media can play the following roles:

• Social media for networking: Technologies such as social media can help trainees build relationships with employers, develop their digital identities and showcase their skills. While platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are commonly used for personal interactions, there is a huge benefit to using such tools when it comes to one career. These benefits include;
• Increasing exposure: Nowadays some employers has tendency of performing some form of online search before meeting candidates. A visible online professional profile is essential for an individual seeking employment. This allows any potential employers to review such public profile ahead of any meetings. Also, it allows for employers to easily find such individuals, which can present countless opportunities.
• Establishing a personal brand: When creating a professional profile one should establish a brand for him/herself. By putting a professional voice for oneself, it increases the likelihood of someone coming across such profile when looking for someone with such skill set.
• Being active: The principle way of successfully developing a strong brand and gaining valuable exposure is to consistently use your chosen platform and to cultivate relationships. Routinely engaging peers is vital currency for an individual’s career.
• Approaching people: Social network provides an easier way of approaching someone than it would be to do so at a social gathering. This can be achieved by introducing oneself to a potential employer who has a public profile on a professional social media platform.

LinkedIn

You start building your profile by including all of the experience on your resume, relevant keywords and skills, accomplishments and Web links.

Follow organizations you are interested in and stay current on news, announcements and opportunities.

Join groups relevant to your field and follow discussions and thought leaders to learn about current trends.

Search for alumni who work at your target organizations and reach out to see if they would be willing to provide advice.

Twitter

Using Twitter you can learn about industries, follow thought- leaders and organizations, share content you curate or create, establish connections and build your professional brand.

Create a professional profile that highlights your top skills.

Show knowledge and interest in your field by tweeting links to relevant articles or samples of your work.

Search for jobs by location, job titles, or social recruiting resources.

Facebook

Build one network by networking with professional associations and alumni organization pages on Facebook.

Always be professional while discussing with people and organizations through answering questions, commenting, messaging and linking to informative content through wall posts or status updates.

Follow the pages of employer organizations to stay abreast of news and job postings

Pinterest

For industries that value creativity or design, like graphic design, the arts, marketing or PR, this platform provides a visual way to display one’s talents.

a) Acquisition Soft skills Soft skills are sometimes referred to as transferable skills or professional skills.

As this term implies, these are skills that are less specialized, less rooted in specific vocations and more aligned with the general disposition and personality of a candidate.

Every job role requires some interaction with others, whether they are colleagues or customers, so soft skills will be important to most employers.

Soft skills required by employees include:

• Communication
• Self-Motivation
• Leadership
• Responsibility
• Teamwork
• Problem Solving
• Decision making
• Ability to Work under Pressure
• Time Management
• Flexibility
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

There are many online programs that employees can enrol in to acquire and develop the above soft skills. The online programs are fairly cheap, accessible and flexible and people can learn at their own pace. As we stated above, soft skills enhance ones employability and advancement in a career.

b) E-Mentorship programs Today understanding of education requires acquisition of knowledge through experience, not ready presentation of it.

In today’s setting, the need has emerged to create environments that enable learners to learn by doing and living.

In such learning environments, mentoring practices are seen to become increasingly widespread.

Mentoring means training and counselling of a relatively less experienced and competent person on occupational and personal development by a more experienced and skilled one.

The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in mentoring practices has led to changing of the classical mentoring and rising of the concept of electronic mentoring (e-mentoring).

E-mentoring has advantages of:

• Greater access,
• Reduced costs,
• Equalization of status,
• Decreased emphasis on demographics
• Records interactions between the mentor and the mentee.

Today’s ICT tools offer a number of alternatives that can be used to provide top-level interaction in e-mentoring.

The tools can be both synchronous and asynchronous.

The ICT tools that can be used include; telephone calls, social networking sites, instant messaging applications and video- conferencing applications.

Skills enhancement

As work environments continue to change with increased use of technology, its important that employees continue to re-skill and up- skill in order to perform their work more effectively.

Today’s work environments also need people who can perform different tasks as some jobs continue to become obsolete.

E.g. an employee is expected to type and print documents without depending on secretaries and copy typists.

Some of the ICT skills required include:

• Basic Operation of ICT Hardware – Including printers, scanners, photocopiers, smartphones, tablets and projectors.
• Safe Internet Usage – Such as using search engines for research purposes or updating company social media accounts.
• Typing – The ability to use a word processing program (such as Microsoft Word) to create letters, agendas and minutes. In some roles (such as medical or legal secretarial work), audio transcription skills will be required.
• Document Creation – The ability to use software (such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or Adobe Creative) to produce professional documents like PowerPoint presentations, letters, leaflets or posters.
• Email and Calendar Management – The ability to use an email solution (such as Microsoft Outlook) to communicate with internal and external contacts, keep calendars up to date, and book meetings. In some specialist ICT roles, employees will need an in-depth knowledge of email systems, to create and manage user accounts.

The good news is that an employee does not have to back to school to learn these skills but can access different training programs available on the internet to acquire the skills.

How can a person’s online behaviour damage their chances of getting a job?

Be precise: Being misunderstood is quite common in online interactions; escape the miscommunication trap by double checking that what appears perfectly clear to you is not confusing your readers. The best way to test your messages for clarity is to read them aloud before you send them; this way, you will be able to see if they make sense.

Avoid emoticons and “texting” writing: Using emoticons and writing in “texting” language that is by using abbreviations might be considered too casual or even childish; refrain from them as much as possible. Online discussions require professional writing; smiley faces or linguistic shortcuts are more appropriate for chatting with your friends or instant messaging.

Netiquette

The rules of etiquette are just as important in cyberspace as they are in the real world and the evidence of poor netiquette can stick around to haunt someone for a long time.

To help young people use the internet responsibly, it’s important if they are ma aware of the rules that ought to be observed while they are interacting through the internet.

Encourage them to follow these basic rules of netiquette to avoid damaging their online and offline relationships.

Be precise: Being misunderstood is quite common in online interactions; escape the miscommunication trap by double checking that what appears perfectly clear to you is not confusing your readers. The best way to test your messages for clarity is to read them aloud before you send them; this way, you will be able to see if they make sense.

Avoid emoticons and “texting” writing: Using emoticons and writing in “texting” language that is by using abbreviations might be considered too casual or even childish; refrain from them as much as possible. Online discussions require professional writing; smiley faces or linguistic shortcuts are more appropriate for chatting with your friends or instant messaging.

Netiquette Tips for Online Interactions

The following are some netiquette tips for online communication;

Use a professional email address: The name one uses on their email accounts should portray seriousness and professionalism. Some email accounts names may make potential employers dismiss you as not being serious or professional. For example; cheekyboy@gmail.com or babygirl@yahoo.com

Your online profile: To get more insights into the personalities of job applicants, many employees are now resorting to checking the information you have posted online including the personal information on your online profile and your profile pictures. Ensure that your profile information should match what you have provided on your curriculum vitae and you use appropriate photos for your profile.

Be precise: Being misunderstood is quite common in online interactions; escape the miscommunication trap by double checking that what appears perfectly clear to you is not confusing your readers. The best way to test your messages for clarity is to read them aloud before you send them; this way, you will be able to see if they make sense.

Avoid emoticons and “texting” writing: Using emoticons and writing in “texting” language that is by using abbreviations might be considered too casual or even childish; refrain from them as much as possible. Online discussions require professional writing; smiley faces or linguistic shortcuts are more appropriate for chatting with your friends or instant messaging.

Don’t Assume Privacy: Keep in mind that your company and personal email may not be private. Your company has the right to read anything sent from the office, so never write and send personal or highly sensitive information from work. Personal email from home may be forwarded, so don’t put anything in writing that could cause a problem

Avoid Offensive Comments: avoid offensive comments in your online communication. This includes racist, sexist, or negative remarks about another person or company. If you receive an offensive email, don’t reply or forward it to anyone. Never use online platforms to say anything that can be misconstrued or misinterpreted if it gets back to your boss or potential employers.

Don’t Shout: Remember that when you type in all capitals, your communication comes across as shouting. Some people think it makes their message easier to read, but that isn’t the case. Use a font size and style that is easy on the eyes when read in standard case letters.

Edit Your Messages: Edit your communication before you hit the send button. Use spellchecker and go over all business emails to make sure you have proper grammar. You always want to present yourself as a professional in all correspondence. Check personal email after you finish writing it to make sure it gets your intended point across. Dropping or adding a single word can change the meaning of a sentence.

Reply with Caution: Know the proper way to reply to the emails or messages you receive. Pay close attention to the sender and the others in the “to” and “cc” fields. It is courteous to respond as quickly as possible.

Avoid the urge to hit “reply all” before looking to see who is listed in the header. Your response may confuse others on the list or you might wind up sending unnecessary information to people you don’t know. The only time you should click “reply all” is if you are sure everyone needs the information you are sending.

Watch Your Tone: Maintain a positive tone in your email communications. Remember that snarky remarks may come across as mean-spirited rather than funny.