Girls want to make the world a better place Technology, automation, gender – All of this points to a need for young people to be An equally significant gender difference that emerges and the future of work better informed about the disruptive impacts and from our research is that females are much more Alongside the findings on subject and career opportunities that technology is opening up in the 12 committed to choosing a career that enables them to choices, our research reveals some fascinating workplace. PwC’s “Future of Work” report found make a positive difference to the world around them. insights into students’ expectations for the future that over half (53%) of 10,000 adult consumers Overall, 40% of students say an important factor in of work in an era of increasing automation. surveyed across China, Germany, India, the UK their career choice is feeling that the work they do Fifty-five per cent of male and 46% of female and the US thought technology breakthroughs helps make the world a better place. But this figure respondents expect that their future career will would transform the way people work over the rises to 50% among females and falls to 31% among be overtaken by automation at some point in the next five to ten years. And with many traditionally males. In contrast, males are more likely to cite salary future – with 15% of all students expecting this male manufacturing jobs already having been as an important factor – with 44% of males saying to happen within the next 20 years, 21% after 20 automated, more female-orientated office and this, versus 32% of females. years, and 14% after they retire. Given that the clerical jobs are next in line. Both genders need to impact of automation is already starting to be felt, adapt to this reality – and a better understanding Girls’ greater desire to improve the world is a highly it’s interesting that so many students think it’s of technology will help them do this. significant finding. Technology now makes a huge still some years away. As well as recruiting people with digital skills, difference to individuals and societies the world Students also have mixed views on whether new organisations need to upskill their workforce to over, delivering dramatic improvements in people’s technology creates or destroys jobs. While 76% of be adaptive, creative and critical thinkers. With lives. For example, mobile technology is playing an all respondents expect new technology to make the current pace of technological change it is hard increasingly pivotal role in disaster relief efforts some jobs redundant, 58% expect it to create to predict what jobs will look like in the future, so 10 around the world , and developing countries are at new types of jobs and 63% expect it to change the it is important that employees are able to respond the forefront of using mobile health technologies, skills employers look for. to the next skills challenge. PwC’s Global CEO overcoming their relative lack of physical health 13 Survey revealed that the skills most in demand 11 infrastructure . Given females’ greater desire to Female respondents are slightly less optimistic are people-orientated skills such as adaptability have a positive impact, more understanding of than males that new technology will create new and problem-solving (98% of UK CEOs rate them transformational effects like these would encourage types of jobs, with 54% of females saying it would as important), leadership and collaboration (both more of them to get involved in technology as a career. compared to 62% of males. 96%) and creativity and innovation (both 93%). Those that can display these skills will be in “I do slightly regret not choosing a STEM subject, high demand. but I was put off it at school, and never told the of male and 46% of importance of studying sciences in particular female respondents at A-Level to boost my career prospects. I was 63% of students expect new expect that their future also never fully engaged in STEM subjects at technology to change the 55% career will be overtaken school – it was not made interesting and no one skills employers look for by automation at some encouraged me to pursue it, even knowing that I point in the future was very good at it.” 10http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34715962 University student 11Source: http://healthmarketinnovations.org/blog/developing-countries-lead-way-mobile-health-technologies 12Source: http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/talent/future-of-work/journey-to-2022.html 12www.pwc.com/davos Women in Tech – Time to close the gender gap 10