Imagine sipping coffee in low Earth orbit as the sun rises over the curvature of the planet. Or spending your workday designing entire virtual worlds so vivid that people want to live in them.
These aren’t scenes from a sci-fi movie—they are glimpses into the job market of the near future.
By the mid-2020s, a wave of futuristic careers is expected to emerge, offering opportunities that are both innovative and unprecedented.
One example? Space tour guides, ready to educate travelers on orbital sunrises and the fascinating bits of space junk circling Earth after six decades of human exploration.
This prediction comes from the Tomorrow’s Jobs report, a collaboration between Future Laboratory and Microsoft, which forecasts a world where many of today’s students will enter careers that don’t yet exist.
So, what will these jobs look like, and how can we prepare for them? Let’s explore some of the most intriguing predictions.
A World Beyond Gaming
Virtual reality (VR) is already outgrowing its gaming roots, becoming a staple in consumer electronics and beyond.
By 2025, VR designers will be in high demand, especially those who can blend the narrative skills of game developers with the spatial awareness of architects and urban planners.
In China alone, more than 200 VR startups have emerged, driving an 800% increase in global demand for talented designers since 2014.
These professionals will be tasked with creating immersive virtual worlds that aren’t just entertaining but transformative—spaces where people work, learn, and even socialize.
The ideal candidate? Someone who can merge technical expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior, crafting environments that feel as real as the physical world.
Robots Are Creating Jobs, Not Taking Them
Conversations about automation often focus on the jobs robots will replace. But what if we’ve been looking at this all wrong?
Instead of merely replacing human workers, robots and AI will create entirely new categories of employment.
Take the role of Ethical Technology Advocates, for example.
These professionals will navigate the complex relationships between humans and intelligent machines, ensuring that robots behave ethically and align with societal values.
“We will need people who advise on how humans and robots should act towards each other,” says Mark Tahtouh, a leader in forensic drug intelligence. .
“It’s about mediating interactions and educating robots about our often idiosyncratic behavior.”
Germany has already invested €200 million (about $263 million) into research on robot ethics, highlighting the growing importance of this field.
These advocates won’t just protect humans—they’ll also argue on behalf of robots, ensuring they aren’t programmed to suffer or harm.
Visual Storytelling for a New Era
As platforms like Instagram and Pinterest continue to outpace text-based social media, the future of communication is clear: visual storytelling will dominate.
By the 2020s, digital cultural commentators will blend skills in animation, augmented reality (AR), and multimedia production to craft narratives that resonate with global audiences.
These roles will demand a unique mix of technical savvy and human insight, combining the creativity of artists with the precision of programmers.
Whether it’s designing AR campaigns for brands or creating multimedia art, these professionals will shape the way we consume and share information.
Citizen Scientists Redefining Research
The rise of open-source platforms like CRISPR has democratized science, empowering individuals to tackle complex challenges without the need for institutional backing.
This movement has already given rise to citizen scientists, but by 2025, it’s expected to evolve into a viable career path for entrepreneurial bioscience graduates.
Imagine a world where freelance biohackers use collaborative tools to cure diseases, develop sustainable technologies, or even engineer personalized medical treatments.
The possibilities are endless—and the barriers to entry have never been lower.
Making Sense of Big Data
By 2025, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be generating an unimaginable volume of data, with billions of devices embedded in everyday objects.
The challenge? Turning this data into actionable insights.
Enter the IoT Data Creative, a hybrid professional who combines the analytical skills of a data scientist with the storytelling abilities of a digital cultural commentator.
These individuals will be responsible for uncovering hidden patterns in the data and using them to inform decisions in fields like urban planning, healthcare, and sustainability.
Other Careers on the Horizon
The Tomorrow’s Jobs report offers a wealth of additional predictions, including:
- Rewilding Strategists: Experts who rehabilitate degraded ecosystems to restore biodiversity.
- Sustainable Power Innovators: Visionaries creating new energy sources for a post-carbon world.
- Human Body Designers: Specialists crafting custom prosthetics and augmentations.
- Personal Content Creators: Innovators expanding the storage capacity of the human brain.
Preparing for the Future
The common thread among these roles is the need for creative thinkers who can bridge the gap between technical expertise and human connection.
Progressive universities and institutions will need to foster multidisciplinary skills, combining STEM education with the arts and humanities.
While robots and AI will undoubtedly change the job market, they won’t replace the unique qualities that make us human—our creativity, empathy, and ability to adapt.
The future is closer than we think. Are you ready to meet it?
What futuristic job excites you the most? Let us know in the comments!
