Do you have what it takes to be a virtual habitat designer, a freelance biohacker, or a human body designer? These are the type of jobs that will exist in technology industries in just 10 years time, according to Microsoft Surface.
The 'Tomorrow's Jobs' report, published by Microsoft Surface and The Future Laboratory, outlines some of the jobs expected to be created by advancements and innovations in technology in the next decade, and beyond 2025.
Based on interviews with technologists, academics and industry commentators, the report expects 'virtual habitat designer', 'ethical technology advocate', 'digital cultural commentator', 'freelance biohacker', and 'Internet of Things data creative' to all develop within the next 10 years.
The report said that increasingly powerful computing technology will be required to handle the vastly increased data processing requirements of some of the jobs such as 'Internet of Things data creative' - someone who will sift through the vast waves of data being generated each day by smart devices to find meaningful and useful ways to use the information.
The research also delved further into the future, suggesting some jobs that will exist in 2025 and beyond. These include; 'Space tour guide', 'rewilding strategist', 'personal content curator', 'sustainable power innovator' and 'human body designer'.
Student expectations
Microsoft Surface also found that a third (37%) of today's students are sure that the job they are aiming for will exist in 10 years. In contrast, one in 10 went as far as to say that their target job won't exist at all in 10 years.
Two thirds (61%) said they are concerned about finding a job after university, with a third of those (33%) saying they're uncertain about how technology will change their target jobs in the near future.
Steve Tooze, foresight editor from The Future Laboratory, said: "Technological change, economic turbulence and societal transformation are disrupting old career certainties, making it increasingly difficult to judge which degrees and qualifications will remain a passport to a well-paid and fulfilling job in the decades ahead.
"In the next decade, a technological revolution - essentially a second industrial revolution - will open up inspiring and exciting new career opportunities in sectors of the economy that are only in their infancy today. The trick for graduates is predicting what those new jobs will be."
Ryan Asdourian, Microsoft's Windows and Surface Lead, said: "While these jobs may seem like the realms of science fiction, in reality, they are indicative of changes that we are already seeing today. At Microsoft, on a daily basis, our devices are being used by creatives at the forefront of their industries developing new ways to work, collaborate and create.
"It is positive that today's students recognise the impact technology is having on the jobs landscape and we are focused on providing them with the insights they need to achieve their creative aspirations."
Exploring the jobs of the future
Virtual habitat designer - By 2025, tens of millions of us will spend hours each day working and learning in virtual reality environments. A 'VHD' will design and create these worlds.
Ethical technology advocate - An 'ETA' will negotiate our delicate relationship with robots by setting the moral and ethical rules under which the machines operate and exist. These are the people who try to make sure Terminator doesn't happen.
Digital cultural commentator - Visual communication will dominate social media. Workers who can master this shared language of imagery will be will be much sought after as communicators to mass audiences by businesses and art institutions.
Freelance biohacker - These will collaborate on searching for treatments for things like Depression, Schizophrenia, Autism and Alzheimer's.
Internet of Things data creative - IoT data creatives will sift through the waves of data being generated each day by devices in our clothes, our homes, our cars and offices to find meaningful ways to tell us what all that information is saying.
Space tour guide - With the likes of Virgin Galactic already on the horizon, orbit travel will open a whole new area of jobs.
Personal content curator - Personal content curators will help people to use systems to increase the storage capacity of their over-stretched minds, providing services that allow them to dip in and out of treasured memories and experiences at will.
Rewilding strategist - Rewilding strategists will stitch together viable ecosystems in stressed landscapes, using patchworks of flora and fauna from all over the world, reintroducing plants and animals that have been extinct in a region for centuries.
Sustainable power innovator - These people will be experts in chemistry and material science, investing new battery storage capabilities to help cope with the power demands of an ever-growing digital world.
Human body designer - 'HBDs' will use bio-engineering know-how to create a huge range of customised human limbs - both fashionable and functional.
