To find out the artist of a song through Shazam, to make a video call via Skype, to buy products without going to the store are commonplace in our everyday life. Technology has changed life and the labor market: new professions have appeared, and some are outdated.
Skolkovo Business School in 2012 – 2015 conducted a study from which the Atlas of New Professions emerged – an analysis of career trends taking into account technological progress. From it we selected 25 of the most interesting specialties that will help to remain in demand.
First, let’s figure out where the robot will take away work from a person, and then we will find out who to go to study in order to receive a promising profession of the future.
Can a machine replace a person?
Martin’s Oxford School (Oxford Technology Research Institute) estimates that 45% of jobs in developed countries will be replaced by machines in the next twenty years.
The professions that need creative and organizational skills will remain in demand: work in the cinema, blogging, modeling, photography, or management. Highly skilled workers will remain safe: they do not work according to templates that can be “driven” into a computer.
First of all, they want to automate tasks of medium complexity and routine work. Therefore, we are increasingly meeting in self-service checkout stores or talking on the phone with an answering machine instead of a live operator.
The labor of migrants will not be replaced by robots, provided it is cheaper. But on production is already being introduced automated packers, welders and movers.
What professions will disappear in the future
On average, the life cycle of a profession takes 10-15 years, after which it becomes obsolete. This occurs for the following reasons:
1. Big data
The computer quickly processes huge amounts of data, performs work more accurately than a person. This happens, for example, with accounting, loans, correcting the text for errors or with analytics.
2. Cloud storage
Data goes into digital space, and material specialists are unnecessary. Archivists and librarians go unemployed.
3. Availability of information
Online services help you do many of the processes yourself. The popularity of tour operators, tutors, legal consultants.
4. Virtual reality
Any decoration can be drawn on a computer, and reality simulators help to conduct tests and create the necessary conditions. Scene mounters, stuntmen, testers become irrelevant.
5.3-D printing
3-D printing technology will force you to abandon the production of a number of goods (building materials or clothing items), because of which some companies will lose customers.
Promising professions of the future
The future cannot be accurately predicted. History knows many unsuccessful examples. In the middle of the century, they thought that cars would travel in nuclear reactors, and coffee makers would work on nuclear batteries. After the flight of Yuri Gagarin into space, the idea of the colonization of Mars was popular.
But despite this, now you can see the trends that will determine the development of professions.
- Globalization. Horizontal connections are developing. Machine design is invented in one country, and assembled in another. An employee from a regional city can easily work for a Moscow company or even live in another country.
- Personalization. To better understand the client, you need to know more about his addictions. Online stores introduce a maximum of filters for choosing a product, and advertising shows what you recently searched in the search engine.
- Automation. Machines do work that previously only humans could do. For example, to recognize the criminal in the crowd or to look after a sick relative.
- Environmental friendliness. Garbage problems are on a par with social and economic problems. Brands, retail chains and industries will look for “green” ways of working: switch to renewable energy, use less plastic in packaging; recycle waste.
1. Urban ecologist / park ecologist [biotechnology] 
Such an urbanist designs biotechnological cities, controls the level of pollution, knows how to introduce renewable energy into the urban environment, and also understands the construction.
A park ecologist is engaged in landscaping public spaces: it populates them with animals, birds or insects. It monitors the state of the environment and maintains a green balance within the city. One example of such work: the opening of the Zaryadye park in the center of Moscow.
Where to study:
- Moscow State University (Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Soil Science, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics).
- Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy K. A. Timiryazev (specialties: agronomist-biotechnologist, breeder, genetic engineer).
2. Molecular nutritionist [medicine]
Explores the molecular composition of food and creates personalized diets. They are based on the genetic analysis and physiological processes of a particular person. Diagnostics will become highly accurate, and the diet scenario will be simulated on a computer.
Where to study:
- RNIMU them. N.I. Pirogova (bias towards personalized medicine, medical business).
- First Moscow State Medical University I.M.Sechenova (MGMU).
3. City farmer and agronomist-economist [agriculture]
City-farmer builds agricultural enterprises on the roofs of buildings, creates vertical farms. This allows you to grow plants and breed animals in the city. The first such farm appeared in Singapore in 2012. They plan to build the same farms in South Korea, China, the United Arab Emirates, the USA, and France..
Another important specialty in this area is an agronomist and economist. He is responsible for the efficiency of agricultural enterprises, observes and identifies the needs of the market. Agronomist-economist arranges the work of the company so that it meets the needs of customers and bypasses economic risks.
Where to study:
- Moscow State University M.V. Lomonosov (Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Soil Science).
- Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K. A. Timiryazev.
4. Smart Home Infrastructure Designer [construction]
The Smart Home itself monitors the temperature, reports leaks in the pipes and can make you coffee. It is crammed with sensors that are interconnected. The designer of the “smart home” is responsible for the correct operation of the system.
While many live in ordinary homes, this profession is not particularly popular; but in 7-10 years it will be needed just like the work of an electrician.
Where to study:
- Moscow Architectural Institute (MARCHI).
- National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering.
5. Meteoenergetics [power generation]
Meteoenergetic makes long-term weather forecasts and determines the load on the energy system. The level of energy production depends on his plan. If the winter is warm, you need less energy, and vice versa. It helps reduce costs..
Where to study:
- Moscow Energy Institute.
- Moscow State Technical University (MSTU) named after N.E. Bauman.
6. Marketer of energy markets [energy consumption]
The more private companies that sell heat or electricity, the more competition will be. A marketer is needed to get around opponents. He knows the energy consumption market and can solve the problems of energy marketing: advertise services, conduct promotions, communicate with customers. In Russia, there is no demand for such specialists yet, and in the West it is already a full-fledged profession.
Where to study:
- Moscow Energy Institute.
- St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.
7. The builder of smart roads [ground transportation]
Such a specialist selects and installs an adaptive road surface that adjusts to the weather; creates surveillance systems and a network of sensors. Devices warn about the formation of cork, and then direct the flow of cars so that congestion does not happen.
Where to study:
- Moscow State University of Railway Engineering.
- Moscow State Technological University (MSTU “Stankin”) (direction “Computer-aided design systems”).
8. Port ecologist [water transport]
Master in Environmental Monitoring in the Port Area. It monitors the state of the environment and ships in order to achieve complete environmental safety. The specialist examines water, air, populations of flora and fauna. Port Environmentalist Can Design Ecosystem Restoration Projects.
Where to study:
- State University of the Sea and River Fleet Admiral S.O. Makarov.
- Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University (hydraulic engineering).
9. Unmanned Aviation Interface Designer [Aviation]
Drones will replace couriers and monitor city safety. To manage them, you need programs made by interface developers.
Where to study:
- Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) (MAI).
- Kazan National Research Technical University A. N. Tupolev.
10. Space tourism manager [space]
Such a manager sends travelers into orbit. He works as an ordinary tourist manager: compiles routes, offers trips, selects excursions. Here, we also need knowledge of space instrumentation to control the process at a technical level.
Where to study:
- Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) (MAI).
- Moscow State Technical University N. E. Bauman (MSTU).
11. Robotic Systems Engineer [Minerals]
Fewer people are willing to move to harsh conditions to extract oil or gas. Therefore, oil companies are trying to make work more mobile. Engineers appear who control remote exploration, mining and processing systems.
The profession is already in demand in Russia. According to HeadHunter, 98 vacancies were published in July 2014.
Where to study:
- Russian State University of Oil and Gas named after I. M. Gubkina (Russian State University of Oil and Gas).
- Russian State Geological Exploration University named after S. Ordzhonikidze.
12. The designer of new metals [metallurgy]
Inquiries of clients in metallurgy become different. More and more new types of metal are needed, for example, lighter and more durable. The designer makes new alloys that change their characteristics in different conditions. He experiments with conductivity, resilience and fusibility..
Where to study:
- National Research Technological University “MISiS”.
- Russian State Technological University named after K. E. Tsiolkovsky (MATI).
13. Recycling technologist [new materials]
Technologist develops solutions for reuse of materials and non-waste production.
In Russia, garbage recycling is only beginning to be applied, but in Europe the problem is solved better. For example, designer Victor Monseratt invented a bicycle that makes waste thread needed for furniture assembly.
Where to study:
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).
- Moscow State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology M.V. Lomonosov (MITT).
14. Robot designer [robotics]
Robotics specialists are needed in various industries. Some will make children’s robotic toys, others will develop medical robots for surgery or prosthetics. Home robots designers will automate cleaning, gardening and dog walking.
Where to study:
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).
- Moscow State Technical University of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation (MSTU MIREA) (direction “Biotechnical and medical devices and systems”).
15. Techno-stylist [light industry]
Techno-stylists make clothes with gadgets. Electronic “filling” is needed not only for beauty: sensors control the pulse, body temperature, pressure, and help keep you warm in the cold.
Where to study:
- National Research Technological University “MISiS” (specialties “Nanomaterials” and “Material Science and Technology of New Materials”).
- Moscow State Technical University N. E. Bauman (specialty “Materials science and technology of new materials”).
16. Startup mentor [education]
Specialists who have experience in business. They advise start-up entrepreneurs, teach the basics and make out cases. The mentor can work in a company that supports beginners at all stages of development (business incubator), or be an independent specialist.
Where to study:
- Moscow State Pedagogical University (MPGU).
- Russian State Pedagogical University named after A. I. Herzen.
17. Child Psychological Safety Specialist [baby products industry]
An employee in this area should test children’s toys, cartoons, and clothing. It determines how dangerous they are for the child, whether there is a threat to his psyche. Based on the results of the tests, the specialist issues conclusions on the completion of the product or approves it.
Where to study:
- Moscow State Pedagogical University (MPGU).
- Russian State Pedagogical University named after A. I. Herzen.
18. IT preacher [technology]
It is expected that in 10 years the number of gadgets per person will increase to 5-6. Glasses will complement reality, a bracelet – to control health, and a phone – to tell where it is better to have breakfast in this part of the city.
The rapid development of the IT sphere causes rejection among conservative people. Due to the spread of technology, the digital divide between citizens will widen. A new kind of social stratification will appear. To narrow the gap, an IT preacher will teach digital literacy. He will tell you how to use new services..
Where to study:
- Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics, Moscow State University (VMK MSU).
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).
19. Talent Investment Fund Manager [financial sector]
This person determines the level of financial investment in talent. Its goal is to collect an investment portfolio from promising people, to increase their income and fund income. The work is similar to agent business, where specialists promote athletes, show business stars or bloggers.
Where to study:
- National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE).
- Russian University of Economics G. V. Plekhanova.
20. Time manager [management]
Time Manager helps other people or entire teams to optimize personal and working time; plans business processes, advises managers and develops time management strategies.
Where to study:
- National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE).
- Russian University of Economics G. V. Plekhanova.
21. Moderator of platforms for communication with government agencies [social sphere]
The Internet has made the work of government agencies more transparent. Now you can ask for asphalt pit on the road or put a ramp for people with disabilities through attachment.
But sometimes it’s still difficult to get the attention of the authorities. To establish a dialogue between citizens and officials, you need a moderator. He will arrange an online or offline meeting and show a joint solution..
Where to study:
- Moscow Psychological and Social University (MPSU).
- Russian State Social University (RSSU).
22. Personal tutor on aesthetic development [culture]
In order not to drown in the flow of information and figure out what is art, you need a personal tutor. He will select a program for the client, based on his tastes, and install individual media filters.
Where to study:
- Moscow State University of Culture and Arts.
- British Higher School of Design (Contemporary Art program).
23. Infostylist and media policeman [media and entertainment]
Infostylist works with individual clients, selecting the necessary content bypassing targeting or spam. He will make an individual data library.
The media policeman looks after the online order, looking for violations of the law on the network. Now Roskomnadzor performs this function, but due to the growth of cybercrime, a separate profession is needed.
Where to study:
- Higher School of Economics – Faculty of Communications, Media, and Design (for example, the master’s program “Media Production in Creative Industries”).
- Institute of Mass Media, Russian State Humanitarian University.
24. Developer of tour navigators [tourism]
A variety of tourist destinations made travelers more demanding. Therefore, the services for finding tickets and routes will become more personalized.
They will take into account the health, tastes and budget of the tourist. For example, to inform the user about difficult mountain climbs if he is not ready to go through them physically. Such navigators will be developed by IT-specialists..
Where to study:
- Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation (Faculty of International Economic Relations, specialty Tourism).
- Institute of Hotel Business and Tourism, PFUR.
25. Specialist in overcoming systemic environmental disasters [security]
Such an employee collects data on the state of the environment, monitors the emergence of new environmental problems and seeks solutions even in conditions of high uncertainty.
Where to study:
- Institute for Occupational Safety.
- National Research Technological University “MISiS” (specialty “Technosphere safety).
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