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The Death of Skills: Why Everything We Are Teaching About Career Development is Wrong in the AI Age
The Great Skills Extinction Event
As an Associate Professor who has taught over 6,000 students across three continents, I’m here to tell you something uncomfortable: Nearly everything we’re teaching about professional skills and career development is becoming obsolete.
We are now experiencing what I call the “Great Skills Extinction Event,” and most universities and career advisors haven’t even noticed yet.
While we are still teaching students how to write perfect CVs and cover letters, ChatGPT (or Claude) is writing better ones in seconds.
While we are teaching traditional presentation skills, AI is creating pitch decks that would put McKinsey consultants to shame.
While we are teaching time management and productivity hacks, AI assistants are automating entire workflows.
The skills we have long considered fundamental to professional success are dying.
Let’s not see this as a tragedy or a threat — it is actually an opportunity for radical reinvention.
We need to replace anxiety and fear with curiosity and courage.