Business Category Archives - General Assembly Blog

5 Reasons Why T-shaped Employees Are The Future of Work and How They Offer Businesses a Competitive Edge

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GA Students in classroom working on laptops and writing on a whiteboard

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The tech workforce of yesterday is not the workforce of today – and it certainly won’t be the workforce of tomorrow. 

Technology is evolving rapidly, and companies are struggling to keep up with the pace of digital transformation. Traditional college degrees aren’t evolving rapidly enough to equip entry-level employees with future-proof skills. Software engineers, developers and designers who joined the workforce ten or more years ago already have outdated skill sets. 

Many companies are turning to upskilling and reskilling programs to modernize their workforce. But one type of employee is pivotal to shoring up a company’s culture for the next wave of innovation: the T-shaped employee.

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Beyond Tomorrow: 5 Ways Business Leaders Can Prepare for the Future of AI

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GA Business leaders talk corporate strategies at a roundtable

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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What was once thought to be a flash in the plan is now transforming businesses across the globe. If there’s anything we’ve learned this year it’s that generative AI is here to stay—and it’s here to change everything about how we live and work.

According to an IBM report, 35% of businesses worldwide are already using AI—and within the next 10 to 20 years, virtually every business and government agency will, too. Many companies are already tapping AI in new and exciting ways, from customer service chatbots to copywriting and even diagnosing medical conditions. At the same time, AI has brought ethical questions around copyright, employment and bias to the forefront. Today’s business leaders must understand how to harness the potential of AI, and learn to address the challenges it presents. 

Most critically, companies need to prepare their workforces for a new world of work, where employees will collaborate closely with AI on a daily basis. As organizations race to adopt AI and gain a competitive edge, talent with AI skills are in high demand. According to some reports, they are landing salaries of $900k. Competing in this landscape can feel like it’s impossible. We’ve got you covered with strategies that will position your workforce for an AI-powered future. 

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6 Benefits of an AI-enabled Workforce and Why Foundational Tech Skills are the Way to Get There

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business leaders gather at a roundtable

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done. Emerging AI tech offers benefits that forward-thinking businesses should take advantage of. But, leveraging AI requires a skilled workforce. This article explores how foundational skills are critical to building an AI-enabled workforce and the benefits of doing so.

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AI myths & steps you can take to harness: debunking fears and embracing career growth in the age of artificial intelligence

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Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

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Discover how AI is reshaping industries, empowering professionals, and driving innovation. Read more as we navigate the evolving AI landscape and equip you with the knowledge to thrive in the age of AI.

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to computer systems that possess human-like cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and decision-making. Its influence is rapidly expanding across industries, revolutionizing processes and enabling innovation. However, many are concerned that AI is coming for their jobs. 

On the positive side, AI has the potential to augment human capabilities. This will increase productivity and provide valuable insights for informed decision-making. By embracing AI as a tool for collaboration, humans and AI can work together to create a more efficient and innovative future.

In this blog, we will debunk the common AI myths, fears, and concerns and offer practical tips for individuals and business professionals to adapt and thrive in the evolving tech industry. 

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Why You Should Learn JavaScript: A Beginner’s Guide

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JavaScript is a popular programming language that was born in 1995, and is now core to the modern web. It’s a critical coding skill to learn if you want to get into web development. It’s also a versatile language that can unlock a variety of well-paid job opportunities that are experiencing rapid wage growth. 

According to US News & World Report, software development ranked as the #1 job in 2023. These factors are based on growth potential, salary, employment rate, future job prospects, stress level and work-life balance. The number of software developers is expected to grow to 28.7 million by 2024 globally, a 12.5% increase from 2020. There are many job opportunities for JavaScript developers. One study found the median yearly salary in 2023 was $74,034 USD—up roughly 13% from $65,680 in 2022. 

Salaries can also increase significantly as you gain more experience and advance into more senior developer positions. JavaScript is widely used, so learning it can unlock new opportunities that are remote or freelance.

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Why Investing in Black Tech Talent Is Crucial to Business Success

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Despite big promises from CEOs, flashy DEI hires and significant financial investments by companies, the tech industry continues to fall behind when it comes to diversity. While Black employees make up 12% of the US workforce, only 8% of tech workers are Black. Thanks to this gap, Black households may lose out on more than $350B in tech job wages by 2030, according to the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. 

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Expanding UX Design Capabilities for Tech Teams with Uber Design Pathways Powered by General Assembly

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Companies are still competing for tech talent, however many businesses continue to struggle with recruiting diverse employees. The root issue? Everyone is fishing in the same pond, competing for the same pool of talent.

Some companies have decided to pivot and pursue alternative approaches to recruiting underrepresented tech talent. Uber Design Pathways (UDP) Apprenticeship Program, for example, is a recent success story. Last summer, Uber first partnered with General Assembly to identify a group of high-potential, underrepresented San Francisco Bay Area residents interested in transitioning careers and provide them with the unique opportunity to embark on a future-proof UX career through the design apprenticeship. 

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The Tech Talent Shortage Rages On: Here are 3 Reasons Why (and What You Should Do)

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If you’re tired of hearing about the tech talent shortage: buckle up. Tech layoffs may be making headlines, but the reality on the ground looks different for tech leaders. Tech talent continues to be in high demand, and short supply. According to Gartner, this will continue until at least 2026 based on forecast IT spend. 

The threat of a potential recession has put significant pressure on CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and other technology leaders, who feel crunched to deliver returns on technology and data investments, streamline costs, and modernize business systems. Organizations that are ahead of the curve on digital transformation are more flexible and resilient, meaning they are better positioned to come out of an economic slowdown stronger. 

Every industry today is a tech-driven industry, and without the right talent, it’s impossible to keep up. This widening gap between demand for tech talent and supply of tech talent is costing employers significantly as they compete for a small pool of candidates. 

So what’s behind the persistent tech talent shortage? Three things that are within a company’s control: 

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How to Shift Your Talent Strategy During Economic Volatility

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Today’s talent market is undergoing a major shift, and organizations are rethinking their talent strategies. After a period of massive hiring and growth, some companies are taking a step back and reducing their workforce, such as through layoffs or hiring freezes. Many organizations are taking a more thoughtful approach to hiring, selectively filling only key roles. Other companies still in growth mode see this as an opportunity to recruit top talent in a tight job market. Yet all businesses have one thing in common during times of economic volatility: a desire to shore up and future-proof their workforce against whatever comes next. 

While investments in employer branding and talent development efforts can easily fall to the wayside during economic slowdowns, companies that are in it for the long haul can’t afford to press pause. Here are three things to consider as you evolve your organization’s talent strategy in the face of uncertainty. 

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