The Future of Work
By any estimation, the end of this decade marks a dramatic time of change
for work and for workers. The future of work comes up in almost every
conversation with employers, policy makers, students, and at our own
school with faculty. How will work change in the next decade? What are
the core technologies that will shape work? How will the employer/
employee relationship change? And what is the role of educators in skilling
the future workforce?
Whenever this topic comes up, we find that there are three major
themes that shape the conversation. First, there’s the discussion around
artificial intelligence and the impact that it will have on automation of jobs.
Will artificial intelligence change the fundamental nature of work and, if so,
what are the opportunities for us as a society to make choices in how work
will be automated to benefit the many rather than the few?
The second theme relates to the changing nature of the structure of
work. In the US and increasingly in Europe and other developed economies,
we see dramatic changes in the structure of work. In what is often referred to
as the “gig” economy, an increasing number of workers are in independent
assignments whether they work for a larger company on a contract basis
or maintain independence by working on a number of part-time projects.
The third theme relates to how we prepare the workforce with 21st-
century skills for future jobs that are not yet even defined today. All talent
will need to constantly upgrade skills, whether through on-the-job training,
new certifications, or lifelong learning. As educators we constantly
challenge ourselves to anticipate the future needs of employers and to
continue to develop new educational pathways for current students as well
as for our alumni.
In this issue of the Hult Alumni Magazine we explore the many paths
that Hult graduates are taking in the new world of work. Demonstrating the
benefits of a “growth mindset,” one of the core tenets of the Hult curriculum,
Hult alumni are thriving in a rapidly changing world that constantly demands
new skills and ways of working. Through the many stories in this edition we
explore how alumni are tackling their jobs and creating vibrant high-impact
careers. Thriving in times of change requires adaptability and resiliency—
both hallmarks of the Hult experience. Thriving at work also requires passion
and a commitment to purpose; these are values that drive Hult alumni to
make a difference in the world.
Through this magazine we share how Hult alumni demonstrate these
capabilities in roles in every discipline and throughout every part of the world.
Katharine Boshkoff
Vice President, Global Career Development
and Alumni Relations,
Hult International Business School
Jacob Cherian
Photographed by Joupin Ghamsari in London, UK