Podcast Summary: How Do You Prepare for Jobs That Don't Exist Yet?

Podcast Information:

• Title: TED Talks Daily
• Host/Author: TED
• Episode: "How Do You Prepare for Jobs That Don't Exist Yet? A Work Expert and a YouTuber Answer | Jon Youshaei and Michelle Weise"
• Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of TED Talks Daily, host Elise Hu presents the final conversation of the season from the original series, TED Intersections. The episode features a dynamic dialogue between Work Futurist Michelle Weiss and YouTube Creator John Ushai. They delve into the complexities of navigating the ever-evolving job landscape shaped by rapid technological advancements.

The Evolving Nature of Work

Michelle Weiss opens the discussion by highlighting the increasing number of career shifts younger generations will face. She states:

“I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that even our younger boomers today are averaging 12 job changes by the time they retire. So if you think about, for the rest of us, like younger generations who are still immersed in the workforce, we’re gonna have to navigate more career shifts than we ever dreamed of.”
[04:05]

John Ushai responds by emphasizing the adaptability required in the face of technological change:

“If you’re creative and you feel like AI is coming for your job, I think that says something about your skill set right now... but I think for the large part, it can be such a compliment and amplifier.”
[03:25]

Career Shifts in Younger Generations

The conversation progresses with a focus on the frequency of job changes. Michelle elaborates:

“And if you think about, if you try to calculate that younger generation’s average tenure in a role is maybe less than three years. We might be looking at 20 or 30 or... Gen Z, maybe it’s like 50 job changes.”
[04:26]

John reflects on his own career transitions from platforms like YouTube and Instagram to becoming a creator, underscoring the transferable skills acquired:

“There are so many things I learned working at YouTube and Instagram that prepared me for this job... And there are a lot of the same skill sets even though on paper they look like different roles.”
[05:04]

Translating Technical and Human Skills

Michelle Weiss expresses admiration for John's ability to create engaging content without prioritizing virality, prompting a discussion on balancing experience with entertainment:

“A lot of people who have experience, especially in academia, in the corporate world, don’t know how to package it or make it more entertaining. So a lot of their content falls flat.”
[06:39]

John agrees, adding that combining experience with the ability to entertain can significantly enhance content value:

“If you have both, it could work really well... I want to make it feel visceral. I want to make you feel emotional and I want to bring it to a human perspective.”
[06:47]

Communication and Empathy in the Digital Age

The dialogue shifts to the challenges of maintaining empathy and effective communication in a digital landscape dominated by social media. Michelle raises concerns about declining empathy rates:

“How do we better practice empathy... the rise of social media... makes us think more about ourselves versus how we inhabit the life of someone else.”
[10:11]

John responds by highlighting the role of algorithms in creating echo chambers and the importance of diverse perspectives:

“Algorithms create echo chambers... the interview format is powerful because you’re getting another perspective... It creates a jumping off point to poke a needle in that bubble.”
[11:12]

The Role of AI in Creativity and Job Preparation

John Ushai shares his optimism about AI as a tool that can enhance creativity rather than replace it:

“Good technology will always display something... it can be such a compliment and amplifier to getting more rough drafts.”
[25:35]

He further explains how AI can serve as a catalyst for creativity by providing initial drafts that creators can refine:

“An AI tool can give you a first draft, as crappy as it may be, and you can edit it, and that first draft is based on a prompt that you give it... It just triggers more creativity.”
[26:39]

Michelle adds that while AI can generate content, the human touch is essential for depth and authenticity:

“It can generate a lot of writing... but you don’t know how to fix it unless you have some understanding of how to edit.”
[28:04]

Advice for New Entrants to the Workforce

When asked about advice for newcomers, Michelle emphasizes the importance of purpose and human skills:

“We don’t have to sort of search for that higher lofty calling. Sometimes we can work with purpose even when our work doesn’t feel purposeful... we’re going to have to actually really get sophisticated at our human skills.”
[15:31]

John concurs, highlighting the significance of technical skills as a foundation for effective communication and teamwork:

“The technical skills are super important... they gave me a level of expertise to engage with the material in a different way.”
[16:35]

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Continuous Learning

Michelle shares her journey of adapting to lifelong learning amidst technological disruptions:

“We have to have a real mindset shift... we have to remember that those human skills require some deep practice and we don’t actually have a lot of mechanisms to practice those skills.”
[12:32]

John discusses his own experiences with imposter syndrome and the ongoing process of learning:

“The more you know, the less you realize... the journey never ends. As you get closer to expert, you develop more imposter syndrome... I keep going down that path.”
[22:15]

Conclusion

The conversation wraps up with a mutual appreciation for each other's work and a reaffirmation of the necessity to adapt and continuously develop both technical and human skills. Michelle and John acknowledge the challenges ahead but remain optimistic about shaping a future where humans and technology collaborate harmoniously.

Notable Quotes:

• Michelle Weiss on career shifts:
  “We’re gonna have to navigate more career shifts than we ever dreamed of.”
  [04:05]

• John Ushai on AI and creativity:
  “If you’re creative and you feel like AI is coming for your job, I think that says something about your skill set right now.”
  [03:25]

• Michelle Weiss on human skills:
  “We’re going to have to actually really get sophisticated at our human skills.”
  [15:31]

• John Ushai on imposter syndrome:
  “The journey never ends. As you get closer to expert, you develop more imposter syndrome.”
  [22:15]

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the future of work, emphasizing the balance between technical prowess and human-centric skills. It serves as a valuable guide for individuals aiming to thrive in a landscape where adaptability and continuous learning are paramount.