Stay Relevant in the Modern Workplace: Keep Reskilling and Upskilling Yourself

The job market is no longer what it used to be. Skills that were in demand five years ago might not get you hired today. As someone who’s been observing this shift closely, I can say one thing with certainty — those who keep learning, stay in the game. Whether you’re a fresher just out

Why Reskilling and Upskilling Matter More Than Ever

According to multiple reports, including those from industry bodies like NASSCOM, over 60% of the workforce needs to reskill in the next couple of years to keep up with the speed of automation and AI. Roles in data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital marketing are booming, while routine tasks are slowly being taken over by machines.

I’ve personally seen many friends in IT and even banking lose their jobs during recent downsizing because their skillsets were outdated. On the other hand, some of them who spent time learning cloud tools like AWS or even simple Excel automation, landed better roles within months.

What You Can Do to Stay Ahead

Here are a few practical things professionals can do to remain competitive in today’s job scene:

Learn new tools that are being used in your industry. For example, if you’re in marketing, get a hang of SEO tools, Google Ads and content management platforms.
Take short online courses from platforms like Coursera, Skill India or even free YouTube channels
Attend webinars or workshops on weekends – many of them are free and provide useful insights
Practice what you learn. Just watching videos isn’t enough, try applying them in small projects
Keep your resume updated and tailor it to match what recruiters are looking for now, not five years ago

Positivity Helps When Adapting to Change

I know it’s easy to feel left behind when younger candidates are coming in with fresh degrees and modern skills. But trust me, staying positive and accepting change with an open mind can help more than anything else. Employers today don’t just look for degrees – they want people who can adapt quickly, learn fast and contribute from day one.

A colleague of mine, in her early 40s, recently shifted from HR to tech recruitment after doing a 3-month certificate course. She admitted it was hard initially but now she feels more secure and confident about her future. That kind of mindset is what’s going to matter.

If you’re someone who’s still holding on to old methods and resisting change, it’s time to rethink. The world is moving faster than ever, and those who stay still will be left behind. Keep learning, keep experimenting, and most importantly, stay curious. It doesn’t matter where you start — what matters is that you start now.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.