The saying; “new year, new you” is about to add a whole new credential to its extensive résumé, and today's you stands ready to benefit from tomorrow's knowledge. After all, individual improvement is what New Year’s resolutions are all about. Not only can they be personal and unique, but such intentions can also run parallel to other guiding forces in the pursuit of collective success.

Recently, Forbes.com published an article explaining three key education trends expected to transform the workplace in 2019. It’s a brief yet to-the-point approach written by Anant Agarwal, CEO of edX.org that stresses developing hybrid skills, embracing omnichannel education and the crucial role soft skills will play as our technologically driven world continues to advance at a blistering pace. Consider it an encompassing effort that carries with it a sense of urgency to jumpstart an intellectual evolution. And who better to lead this discussion of advanced education than edX, an online, on-demand learning hub created by Harvard University and MIT in 2012.

Hybrid Skills

As Agarwal sees it, many current and future career opportunities demand skill-sets spanning a plethora of subject areas. So much so, a single course of study at a four-year institution becomes a somewhat foregone conclusion, especially when considering the financial ramifications involved. This is where modular education becomes a selling point for its personalized methodology to learning the skills and expertise necessary for the versatile, working professional.

Omnichannel Education

Another natural fit with regards to multifaceted career paths is the omnichannel approach to education. Agarwal finds this to be a vital addition to today’s professional mind and skill sets, in that they will not only complement both but enhance them to meet the dynamic experience needs of tomorrow - today. In return, learners will become increasingly reliant on what he calls omnichannel experiences, where learning in-person, as well as online, becomes more fluid between working, learning and applying what is learned harmoniously.

Soft Skills

As advancements in technology continue to accelerate business towards greater autonomy, so too will soft skills outpace the need for hard skills. As much as hard skills are necessary, soft skills, such as the ability to effectively communicate, collaborate as well as incorporate critical thinking and decision making skills that come with the territory of a challenging professional career. Without question, these skills will continue their highly sought after status with by employees and hiring managers alike well into the future.

There is no argument against our world desiring more and more technology to handle the increasingly mundane tasks and projects of today’s business needs, tomorrow. That said, it has become overwhelmingly clear these three shifts in how we educate today and future generation working professionals will become the new standard in keeping with the ever-growing, hyper-competitive business environment that is the 21st Century. The saying: “Knowledge is power” couldn’t be more accurate with each passing day the working world concludes.

And lest we forget, time is money too.