Party On, Get in bed with AI? Corporate v.s. College and Chat GPT 4o

Author

Candle Team
May 14, 2024

📰 In this issue

🔹 Insider: Exclusive for our community

🔹 Opportunity: The knowledge worker job market is strong

🔹 Trends: AI Job displacement - A reality check

🔹 Tools: Google, Amazon, Microsoft vs. MIT, Harvard and Stanford

🔹 Sparks: GPT 4o worth it?, LinkedIn options, iOS 17.5

🗃Insider

The Candle AI Disruption Score

This month, in our new insider section, meet the Candle AI Disruption score.

This new tool allows you to upload your resume and receive FREE insights and a personalized analysis that help you remain competitive in today's changing workplace. Try it today!

ResumeResponseGPT

While you’re at it, if you’re actively looking for a new job, you’ll find the ResumeResponseGPT Chrome Plugin an indispensable tool. With over 10,000 job listings analyzed, 800+ users, and a 5.0 Rating, this is a keeper.

🚀 Opportunity

Article Title

Good news for everyone in the tech industry: the job market is looking up! As of April 2024, the tech unemployment rate is down to 2.8%, down a smidge from 3% in March. This shows that tech jobs are still in high demand and the market remains strong​​.

Employers are particularly hungry for skills in IT services, custom software development, and cloud infrastructure. In fact, tech companies added 4,280 new positions in April alone. Even better, many companies are focusing on hiring based on skills rather than just formal degrees. About 46% of tech job postings in April didn't specify a four-year degree requirement, making it a great time for those with practical skills and experience to shine​.

Moreover, the rise of emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing is driving job growth. Positions requiring AI skills accounted for 11% of all tech job postings in April, showing that there's a growing demand for expertise in these cutting-edge fields.

For those worried about job stability, these trends suggest a promising future. The tech industry continues to innovate and expand, creating new opportunities for those ready to embrace new skills and technologies. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or looking to break into the field, the tech job market has plenty of opportunities waiting for you!

🔥 Why You Should Care - The party is on - 2.8%? That’s a good number!
 
🔑 Key Point - Same ole - same ole - all about skills now

📎 Related Resource

AI Innovation Without Job Devastation: A Balanced Perspective

AI created

Almost every newsletter we send out has some mention of AI, for obvious reasons. There's ample evidence suggesting AI will reshape the employment landscape, particularly for knowledge workers. There have been a ton of studies, some of which we have alluded to, that indicate potential massive job displacements. Here’s a reality check. The effects that technological development has on employment are somewhat complex, bringing about both positive and negative consequences. From one perspective, AI will automate various tasks, leaving a large number of people without a job, and leading to a widening skills gap. However, from another perspective, this technological progress will create new jobs and contribute to economic growth. There’s a great (paywalled) article in the WSJ. Contact us if you’d like a copy of it.

It is important that companies pay more attention to upskilling so that their employees can gain the skills necessary for the modern working environment which will ultimately lead to the reduction of unemployment figures throughout the world. Microsoft presents a different narrative for those prepared to evolve with the changing technological landscape. This study highlights a striking trend: 66% of business leaders are now reluctant to hire candidates lacking AI skills. This shift underscores the growing importance of AI proficiency, positioning it as a critical skill set for maintaining employability.

In a surprising twist, 71% of business leaders expressed a preference for hiring less experienced candidates who are adept at AI over more seasoned professionals without such skills. This preference illustrates a significant shift in the valuation of experience versus technological fluency in the hiring process.

Furthermore, 77% of executives believe that leveraging generative AI and automation technologies can enable them to assign greater responsibilities to younger, less experienced workers. This suggests that mastering AI could accelerate career advancement more effectively than traditional paths like managerial roles or professional development programs.

The reality of AI integration has prompted many employees to proactively seek out AI training, often through free online courses, and to introduce generative AI tools into their workplaces independently, given the inadequate training provided by nearly half of companies.

This situation calls for a proactive approach to upskilling in AI, to avoid the fate of outdated technologies like the fax machine. As AI becomes not just a tool but a fundamental requirement in the workplace, adapting to this new norm is not only advisable—it's essential for career longevity and success. Welcome to the future of work, where AI proficiency isn't just an asset; it's a necessity.

🔥 Why You Should Care - Get in bed with AI training - advance your cause
 
🔑 Key Point - AI is a fundamental requirement in the workplace

📎 Related Resource

🚀 Tools

Google, Amazon, Microsoft vs. MIT, Harvard & Stanford

It’s a given, you need AI, ML, Gen AI knowledge to stay in the hunt for career growth in the knowledge industry. There is a plethora of availability for this info, so let’s break it down by numbers, meaning dough, cash, out O pocket - free or not? The free stuff is out there - Google, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, and Salesforce offer free courses, often as part of their initiatives to democratize access to learning resources in tech and AI. But, here's why you might still consider platforms like Coursera, EdX or Udacity (MOOCS) despite the availability of these free resources:

🤖 Structured Learning Paths: MOOCS offer structured curriculums that systematically guide learners from basic to advanced levels. This structure is particularly helpful for those who prefer a guided learning journey.

🤖. Credentials: Many courses on MOOCS are university-affiliated, allowing learners to receive certificates from institutions like Stanford, MIT, and others. These are often more recognized by HR in the professional world.

🤖 Content: The platforms often provide comprehensive coverage of topics with a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. This includes peer-reviewed assignments, hands-on projects, and interactive quizzes that probably aren’t available in free courses.

🤖. Mentorship and Support: Paid courses on platforms like Udacity offer mentorship from industry experts and personalized feedback, which can significantly enhance the learning experience. BTW, Udacity is being acquired by Accenture, that’s a big deal.

🤖. Career Services: Both Coursera and Udacity provide career services such as resume reviews, LinkedIn profile optimization, and even job placement services, which are especially valuable for career changers. Pretty cool, but pay to play.

🤖. Degrees: Platforms like Coursera offer the opportunity to pursue fully accredited online degrees at a fraction of the cost of traditional university programs. You might pay extra to join a one person frat or sorority.

While free courses are excellent resources, especially for individuals with the discipline to self-study, paid platforms offer additional benefits that can be crucial for comprehensive education and career progression. These factors often justify the investment, especially for those seeking structured learning and professional advancement.

🔥 Why You Should Care - It’s like having a trainer at the gym, guidance and proper technique.
 
🔑 Key Point - Sometimes you get what you pay for - but not always

📎 Related Resource

🚀 Sparks

This is the FREE career newsletter that could
end up costing you a lot more not to subscribe to.

Opportunity Overdrive is brought to you by Candle. At Candle, we empower the modern worker and put them at the center of opportunity.

For more information about our project, visit: https://www.projectcandle.ai/

Reply

or to participate.