By Kirstie McDermott
Upskilling is crucial for career longevity––perhaps more so than it has ever been. Gone are the days of a comfortable job for life, and instead, American workers now have an average of 12 jobs across their working lifetime, staying at each employer for approximately 4.1 years.
And if you are looking to make a career change, you may be interested in knowing that the average age people change lanes is at 39.
One of the best ways to ensure career success is to constantly upskill. This year, the rapid rise of generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT have thrown this need back into sharp focus for workers.
The World Economic Forum reports in its most recent Future of Work report that AI is expected to be adopted by nearly 75% of companies. Of those, 50% expect it will create job growth, compared to 25% expecting it to create job losses.
Where a traditional learning and development route may have been through employer-led programs, conferences and professional certifications, many U.S. workers are now wondering what else they can do to adapt.
For those working in finance and banking, the good news is that AI is likely to have an assistive role, rather than replace swathes of jobs. A recent study from EY found that AI has significant advantages in automating high-cost, low-return activities such as repetitive tasks like inputting invoices, tracking receivables, and logging payment transactions.
Opportunities for career advancement
Equally as important as identifying your skills gaps and addressing them, is knowing where opportunities for career advancement lie.
A recent piece of research from The Wall Street Journal, with Moody's Analytics, assessed 380 metro areas to identify the country's hottest job markets. The research determined the strongest labor markets based on five factors: the unemployment rate, labor-force participation rate, changes to employment levels, the size of the labor force, and wages in 2022.
Nashville, Tennessee, topped the list, followed by Austin, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida. Orlando, Las Vegas and New Orleans, known for their tourism industries, climbed the ranks too.
"These are lower-cost areas, they are growing rapidly, there's an increasingly large critical mass of young, educated people," explains Adam Kamins, an economist at Moody's Analytics, who added, "The affordability is really appealing to families as well."
If a new job is on the cards for you this year, then a hot job market is a good bet. Begin your search on the American Banker Job Board, or discover three open roles below.
Relationship Banker - Bellevue Financial Center, Nashville
Bank of America is guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better through the power of every connection. In this Relationship Banker role, you'll execute the bank's risk culture and strive for operational excellence, build relationships with individual clients to meet their financial needs and will grow business knowledge and its network by partnering with experts in small business, lending and investments. If you are an enthusiastic, highly motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic and intense focus on results, acting in the best interest of the client, and are confident in identifying solutions for clients based on their needs, this could be the job for you. See all the requirements here.
Accounting Manager, Parallax of Central Florida Inc, Orlando
In this Accounting Manager role you will be responsible for the accounting and financial reporting functions of a multi-company family-owned business. The position is hands-on and requires initiative, excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with others––as well as independently. The successful candidate will be organized, dependable, detail-oriented and be able to balance multiple priorities. You'll need to have an accounting degree (AAS/BA/BS) or equivalent, plus a minimum three years' related experience as well as working knowledge of Quickbooks, Fixed Asset Manager, Microsoft 365, and Sharepoint. Prior experience with HR management applications is a plus. Apply for this job now.
Chief Financial Officer, Martha O'Bryan Center, Nashville
A dynamic anti-poverty nonprofit organization with deep community roots, the Martha O'Bryan Center (MOBC) serves low wealth families and children. It is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to develop, implement, and manage the operational aspects of the organization's planning, monitoring, and finances.You'll set parameters, processes and the time-table for the organization's financial planning and monitoring, oversee preparation of the annual budget, provide financial analysis, and make recommendations to senior leadership. To be considered, you'll need a Bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting, seven or more years' of progressively responsible accounting experience, three-plus years' of supervision, financial management, budgeting and senior management team experience in an organization with revenues in excess of $10 million. Browse the full job description here.
For roles all across the U.S., browse the American Banker Job Board today
