GUEST POST from Art Inteligencia
In a follow-up to my article What is a Futurist? I thought we could explore a bit more about what it takes to become a futurist.
As the world races towards a more digital future, the need for futurists to guide us through it grows more urgent. Futurists are professionals who study the current state of the world and make predictions about where we are heading. They can be found in all sorts of fields, from technology to finance to public policy. It is a complex and demanding job and learning to be a futurist involves a lot of hard work and dedication.
The first step in learning to be a futurist is to get an education. A degree in fields such as economics, international relations, or computer science can be helpful, as they will provide a strong foundation of knowledge in the areas that will be most important for a futurist to understand. Or you could jump straight in and check out one of the Top 5 Future Studies Programs. From there, aspiring futurists should focus on sharpening their analytical skills, as this will be a key part of their job. This can be done through courses, seminars, and other activities that hone their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Beyond this, developing a deep understanding of the present is essential for a successful career as a futurist. Keeping up with the latest news and trends in the world is a must, as well as having an understanding of the history of the topics they are studying. Having a wide network of contacts in the field can also be invaluable. All of this will help futurists to be better prepared to make accurate predictions about the future.
At the same time, futurists should also strive to stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and other emerging trends. Understanding the implications of new innovations and how they will shape the future is a critical part of a futurist’s job. Keeping up with the latest research and keeping an open mind to new ideas will be essential in this regard.
Finally, becoming a futurist also involves developing a unique perspective on the world. Futurists must be able to look at the world with a fresh set of eyes and think critically about the possibilities that lie ahead. They should be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to the problems that we are likely to face in the future.
A career as a futurist is demanding but rewarding. If you build a strong educational background, sharp analytical skills, a deep understanding of the present, and the ability to think creatively about the future you too can become a futurist. In fact, with the right attitude and dedication, anyone can become a successful futurist!
Bottom line: Futurists are not fortune tellers. They use a formal approach to achieve their outcomes, but a methodology and tools like those in FutureHacking™ can empower anyone to be their own futurist.
Image credit: Pixabay
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