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Billionaires and Workforce Professionals in Space

The past couple of years has been nothing but one surprise after another and just when I think we have heard it all, we have the new space race to spice up our lives. Just when we have had enough of plague, politics, and all the ills of sadness on the news our newsfeeds are filled with the newest thing, space tourism.  Space was once a land of scientists and military personnel, yet as I write this two billionaires have visited a place so few in the world have ever witnessed with their own eyes.

My goal today is not to blog a science fiction novel about what life is going to be like when we are all living between earth and space. Instead I want to focus on the new and innovative possibilities that may be created for workforce professionals. The first question is if the billionaire space race will eliminate jobs or create jobs. I am of the position the race will ultimately create jobs.

Looking at the history of fun, innovation, and anything new and exciting, the wealthy have always been early adapters due to their financial resources. After a period of time, technology improves, and as a result costs decline and items become more accessible for the average individual. Once upon a time, air plane travel was a luxury, now some fares can be found for less than $50. Space may be like a smart phone, once an expensive luxury, now common place at even the lowest price ranges.

I imagine the result will be new and different versions of jobs we still have. Perhaps you are considering space travel for your next vacation, will you use a travel agent or book through a website. If you plan on staying the night in space will you visit a hotel or will your spaceship be a space camper?  What will you do while in space? Will you take a tour and visit some nearby planets and moons?  This all seems silly to ask today, yet in five, 10, or 50 years these may be part of routine vacation planning.

On a more practical level, who will build the rocket ships and drive us to space. Will existing companies build these ships or will new ones be created? What technological competencies will be needed for these jobs? What will the driving license requirements be for a person considering a space ship driving position? How do we prepare our children for careers in space? As we transition to infinity and beyond, will some subjects be no longer taught in school while others will become as basic as reading and math? The whole world changes with each technological step forward. While I don’t believe anyone currently with a young child will need to worry about not being able assist with space math homework, I do believe we are already making strides towards moving forward.

Computer coding, once limited to highly technologically trained staff that we hid in the back room is now in toys and games for toddlers. In workforce, we can be excited to see new industries, new employers, and new jobs in our areas. We may also be stressed with finding a way to learn the new knowledge ourselves and then on how to train a workforce for the jobs.  So many big questions open to new and exciting thought. I leave you with a couple of final workforce thoughts. Would you attend a workforce development conference in space? Would you be the first workforce professional in space?

~Karen Cirincione

Email: kcirincione@gmail.com        

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/karenjcirincione

Twitter: @kcirincione 

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