Choosing a career in the age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in daily life. Facing the decision of choosing a school or a career, many students, in addition to considering suitable fields and stable incomes, must also consider whether their chosen profession will be replaced by AI in the future.

Undecided about choosing a career.

The college admissions counseling day has ended, but the grounds of An Bien High School in An Bien commune are still bustling with students discussing their choices of majors. Some students review the admissions information sheets from various schools, debating which majors offer better job prospects and which are "safer" given the rapid development of AI.

Students at An Bien High School prepare for their graduation exams. Photo: Bao Tran

Holding a notebook filled with the names of various fields and professions—some circled and crossed out, others marked with a highlighter—Pham Khanh Du, a student at An Bien High School, said that after school, she often goes online to watch career guidance videos and learn about jobs that are being strongly impacted by AI. At times, Du wondered when she heard many people say that AI would change the labor market, even replacing some jobs. “I thought about it and researched a lot, and finally I chose to study veterinary medicine. I like the work of caring for and treating animals, and participating in disease prevention and control. I think AI can assist, but it's difficult for it to completely replace, those who directly examine and care for animals,” Du said.

At Dong Thai Junior and Senior High School, Ngo Tan Khang actively participates in sports and physical training with the aspiration of joining the police force. Amidst the rapid changes in many industries and professions driven by AI, Khang has often felt uncertain about his chosen path. Khang recounts that he spent time researching future career trends, hearing many people say that technology would gradually replace jobs related to data processing and administrative management, which worried him. “I think AI can assist in information management or operational tasks, but being a police officer isn't simply administrative work. It's also about the responsibility of protecting the peace and security of the people, about interacting with, listening to, and understanding their feelings. No matter how much technology develops, courage and a spirit of service remain irreplaceable,” Khang shared.

Turning AI into an "assistant"

Not only high school students, but many university students are also preparing to enter the AI-era job market. Even before graduating, Le Nguyen Ngoc Ngan, a student majoring in education at An Giang University, has deleted dozens of old lesson plans and presentations from her computer. Ngan admits that there was a period when she felt pressured witnessing AI's ability to create content, design images, and even build lectures in just a few minutes. "Before, I was afraid of unemployment because I wasn't good enough. But now, I'm afraid of unemployment because AI is so good," Ngan said with a smile.

Instead of avoiding it, Ngan proactively turned AI into her "assistant." Her late nights as a final-year student are now not only spent completing assignments or teaching practice, but also learning how to apply technology to teaching. She uses ChatGPT to get ideas for lesson plans, Gemini to design vivid illustrations, and Canva AI to create visually appealing lecture slides. "I think the issue now isn't whether AI will take away my job, but whether I know how to use AI to teach better and provide more value to my students," Ngan shared.

According to Ms. Pham Yen Linh, Head of Human Resources at a software company in Can Tho City, AI has a significant impact on how businesses recruit young workers. While previously recruiters primarily focused on qualifications and experience, the ability to use AI tools has now become a plus point in job applications. AI has caused considerable anxiety among students when choosing careers or vocational training, but it's crucial to understand one's own capabilities, know what suits them, and prepare for long-term adaptation to the ever-changing labor market. "AI can support many technical aspects, data processing, and work automation, but human values ​​such as creativity, communication, teamwork, empathy, and a continuous learning spirit are still very difficult to replace," Ms. Linh stated.

Amidst the rapid changes in technology, young people today embark on their career choices with more foresight than before. But ultimately, while AI may change the way people work, how far they go in their careers still depends on their ability to adapt, learn, and the value each individual creates.

BAO TRAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chon-nghe-thoi-ai-a486378.html