How can our youth face the era of rapid change and uncertainty?

By Maria Yee-man Yau

A friend recently posed a pressing question: “As an Educational Researcher, Maria, what advice would you give to young people about preparing for the increasingly uncertain and volatile world shaped by AI?” This question, while challenging, is incredibly relevant in today’s rapidly changing world.

Yes, the world has become increasingly unpredictable and turbulent since the dawn of the 21st century. We’ve experienced wave after wave of turmoil—9/11 and its aftermath, the 2008 financial crisis, and the unprecedented COVID pandemic—each upending our societies both socially and economically. To make matters worse, we face overwhelming global concerns like climate change, aging demographics, ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade wars, and the rising fear of job displacement due to automation and AI.

I recently came across the acronym VUCA, which stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.  This concept resonates deeply with many, particularly young people in the Western world. Gen Z—those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s—often perceive themselves as a doomed generation, grappling with feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and hopelessness, which lead them to question “What’s the point?”

The growing concern among younger generations and the outlook prompted me to reconsider my friend’s question about AI. After contemplating its implications, conducting some research, and discussing with various people—including my daughter—I decided to write this article to share my thoughts.

While I cannot provide a definitive answer (as the question is inherently complex and requires careful consideration), I hope this discussion offers some insights for young people as they reflect on how to prepare themselves for an uncertain future.

Self-knowledge – Who am I?

When discussing how our youth can equip themselves for their future, a common consideration, especially among immigrant families, is which field or fields of study or career will lead to more promising prospects in terms of job opportunities and, ideally, financial success.  As my friend continued to ask, “Should our young people be advised to go for an AI stream after seeing how fast-growing the technology appears to be?”  I would say yes, perhaps, for those who are passionate and talented in areas such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).  But how about those who are not particularly interested in or strong in STEM subjects?  It is not uncommon for university students to major in a specific professional field solely because of family expectations or pressure, peer influence, or the prospect of a job market.  For these students, I wonder how that will fare in the long run. How much would they enjoy and excel professionally, compared to those who have an apparent inclination and aptitude for those fields?

Furthermore, in recent decades, we have witnessed how various professional sectors, including more traditional ones such as accounting, pharmacy, education, or healthcare, have failed to offer graduates prospective career opportunities due to unexpected job market fluctuations or saturation associated with unpredictable social and economic conditions of the time.  Even in the AI sector, we have been hearing more and more about mass layoffs at Big Tech companies, while they simultaneously and aggressively recruit a handful of top AI talent with huge monetary incentives.  My point is that no matter what the job market forecast is, or how popular or promising specific industries seem to be, there is no guarantee of employment in one’s chosen field upon graduation.

So, if jumping on the bandwagon or conforming to popular trends does not necessarily lead to the anticipated opportunities, how can our youth find their pathways?

My advice is to understand oneself and use it as a compass to point to potential direction(s). The idea is to learn more about yourself in terms of strengths and weaknesses, temperaments and personalities, values and beliefs, interests and passions, and dreams and aspirations – all of which can help guide the search for the field(s) of study or career that would match your attributes – whether it is in STEM, in humanities, arts, music, culinary, crafts, business, sports, designs, or others. This self-discovery process can be empowering, as it empowers you to take control of your future career path.

Of course, some may be skeptical about whether self-discovery would lead to a promising career opportunity.  While no one knows how an individual’s future will unfold, it’s essential to remember that the world is still vast and brimming with potential, beyond the current technology being imposed upon us now. No matter how automated, digitalized, or robotic the future may become, or how powerful these technologies seem to be now, they are ultimately created and engineered by humans.  At least in the foreseeable future, it is difficult to fathom that technologies or AI could completely replace the numerous intricate human dimensions necessary for a healthy society. For the different facets of society, such as education, care services, arts, businesses, hospitality, etc., while they can be assisted or even sophistically enhanced by technology, they cannot be sustained without such human input as intelligence, creativity, discernment, problem solving, decision making, interactions, care, compassion, and more.

In essence, there are countless possibilities in the world for our young people to explore or even invent, which could align with their specific talents and interests. Hence, I strongly encourage our young people to embark on their self-discovery journey at an early age. It requires a deliberate effort to understand oneself through introspection, communication, diverse experiences, trials, and errors, ideally with the support and guidance of others. This journey of exploration can lead to a greater sense of efficacy, joy, fulfillment, meaning, and purpose, despite the inevitable challenges that arise. Sometimes the essence of life isn’t just in the monetary success, but in pursuing one’s passions by knowing “who I am.” This pursuit of passion can lead to personal growth and a sense of fulfillment that is truly inspiring.

Life Skills for an Uncertain Future

Aside from finding their pathways, it is also crucial for our young people to acquire coping skills to face their day-to-day challenges and the unknown future.  In recent decades, education systems have placed an increasing emphasis on fostering 21st-century competencies, including Civic Literacy, Global Awareness, Cross-cultural skills, Critical and Inventive Thinking, and Communication, Collaboration, and Information Skills.  These are essential skill sets that schools are expected to integrate into their students’ formal education, especially in high school.  I would like to highlight a few interrelated attributes which I find particularly crucial in the context of VUCA, and which are indeed life skills that need to be cultivated not only in the classroom but also outside of school.

Adaptability – This refers to one’s willingness and ability to adjust and adapt to meet evolving situations.  This capacity, which involves flexibility and continuous learning, does not come naturally.  Reports have shown that the large majority of people are afraid and or reluctant to change.  That is why I want to raise awareness of the importance of cultivating this life skill, which is necessary not only for surviving but also for thriving in the era of constant change and unpredictability.

Curiosity – This can be described as one’s strong desire to actively seek out new information or experiences beyond the surface level or one’s immediate surroundings.  In this VUCA world, a curious mind can give our young people an edge to face their unknown future by being constantly aware of and knowledgeable about not only their surroundings but also the world around them.

Critical thinking – This refers to one’s ability to delve deeper than simply accepting given information at face value by analyzing things from different perspectives and multiple sources of information before drawing a conclusion.  This discerning ability is particularly essential in today’s online world, which can be filled with a bombardment of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and digitally generated AI images, videos or messages – all of which can often confuse or bias one’s perceptions, affecting decisions and actions.

Resiliency – This refers to one’s ability to face adversity and recover from it.  In a way, it is an all-embracing ability encompassing multiple life skills, such as self-awareness, basic survival skills, emotional skills, self-efficacy, a growth mindset (optimism), and sharing skills.  It can be considered a foundation for navigating life’s challenges and setbacks, not only to bounce back, but also to grow and flourish through difficulties.

Similar to self-discovery, life skills are not something individuals are born with, nor are they something that is simply acquired through reading or workshops. Instead, they are lifelong traits that need to be cultivated and honed over time through intentional effort, practice, experience, observation, reflection, guidance and encouragement.  Again, fostering these life skills and attitudes at an earlier age would enable our young people to cope with their life demands and challenges more spontaneously and effectively.

Spirituality

So far, we have discussed the importance of self-knowledge and highlighted a few life skills as suggested concepts for our young people to consider when equipping themselves.  As a follower of Christ since 2000, I have come to realize that there is yet an overarching dimension that gives one’s inner strengths and deeper meanings when navigating their life journey; and that is FAITH.

As a once atheist and later a reborn Christian, I have personally experienced and witnessed an empowering transformation in my professional life.  The transition may not be apparent in terms of work performance, which I am grateful to say was highly recognized, whether before or after my “rebirth.”  The transformation was more an internal one – my heart and soul – a gradual change that has empowered me to pursue my career, as well as my personal life, with courage and resilience to face the “lows,” and a thankful heart to enjoy and appreciate the “highs”.

Before my conversion, I told myself that I had to rely on myself to work very hard, which often resulted in feeling anxious, not enough, and a need to be perfect.  After accepting Christ, through ongoing spiritual pursuits, it has become clearer to me that I no longer have to struggle alone.  Instead, I now have the Holy Spirit in me, which I can always turn to for guidance, inspiration, strength and even comfort.  During times of unfairness or injustice at work, I was able to remain calm, knowing that my Heavenly Father sees everything and that His justice will prevail in its time.  I remember being asked by one of my former bosses years later about any changes I noticed in myself after becoming a Christian.  My brief yet sincere answer was one of joy and peace, despite the ongoing challenges.  There were also moments of doubt whether I should stay on or move on to another opportunity.  Instead of disappointment or frustration, I gradually learned to accept when doors were closed and to discern what God has in store for me. Over time, I finally realized how God has indeed blessed me with a position that has allowed me to serve students in need for 33 years through the gifts He bestowed upon me as an Educational Researcher in an extensive school system.  Experiences like these have reinforced my faith in Him and that His plans are often better or more suitable than what I thought or wanted at the time.

Now, my own adult children are at a career crossroads, which can be a scary and doubtful time for anyone. During these pivotal moments, my life experiences and faith journey play a crucial role, serving as a reminder that seeking divine guidance can illuminate one’s path, helping them to navigate decisions with clarity and assurance. Understanding that God’s wisdom is always available to them provides a sense of security, encouraging them to trust that they are never alone. This belief in divine protection instills hope, confidence, and courage, allowing them to envision different possibilities and explore their new chapter with the gifts God has given them.

Micah 6:8 “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (NIV).

Most importantly, as they engage in soul-searching and discern God’s will, they are reminded that their inner North Star is aligned with a greater purpose. With divine guidance, they can serve with a stronger sense of mission, vision, and passion, knowing that their steps are safeguarded by a loving Heavenly power above.

Author Reference: Maria Yee-man Yau (邱綺雯), Former Research Co-ordinator of Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Canada’s largest school board, for 33 years. Currently, an independent educational research consultant offering consultancy to different Canadian school boards, local schools, universities and academic organizations.

Maria has presented her research findings across Canada and internationally, including Germany, the United States and China. Aside from her professional career, she has been a community volunteer for over 20 years, offering talks and workshops in the Greater Toronto Area and abroad, including Southeast Asia and China, on topics related to education, parenting, youth development, and social-emotional well-being.

As a result of her dedication and contributions to educational research and community youth work, Maria has earned several Canadian awards, including TDSB’s Award of Excellence, The Order of Mary Ward  – a Featured Researcher for People for Education in Ontario, Ontario’s 15 Chinese Canadian Women Award in 2017, and the 2023 Ontario Volunteer Service Award.