Power-Skills: AI-Proof Job Skills to Learn in High School

August 2, 2024 byTrey Edgington

5 min to read

Two professional women sitting in chairs and engaged in a conversation

Due to the recent rise of AI technology like ChatGPT and AI image generators, many people may be worried that certain jobs could be impacted by the time today’s students are ready to enter the workforce. While we can’t know the future, for students to be successful in an AI-influenced job landscape and feel more confident about the jobs of the future, they may want to develop the job skills that machines cannot replicate—power skills.

What Are Power Skills?

Power skills, also known as soft skills, are qualities like emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability, skills that are not concrete abilities like data analysis, welding, or accounting. They are the skills that can help a person be successful in any job, regardless of their work experience.

The following are some of the key power skills high school students can develop before entering the workforce.

Communication

Not many jobs are done in a silo. Just like when completing a group project in school, each member of a team must be able to communicate well, both verbally and in writing. Some of the best ways to improve a student’s communication skills are to engage in active listening and to ask questions to help them better understand the topic.

In class, students can improve their active listening skills through notetaking, as active listening is about not just hearing the words being said in the lecture but mindfully engaging with what their teacher is saying, which can help them better see the gaps in their own understanding and to become more naturally curious.

Teamwork

Collaboration is the foundation of any good team. Each team member needs to build strong relationships and trust and have the collaboration skills to get the job done. Successful teams often start by clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of each member. Writing these down can help everyone remember their role and roles of others. Using a detailed calendar can help with time management and keep the team on track. Build negotiation skills by encouraging each teammate to share their ideas. Set aside time in group meetings to share and listen. From there, you can hopefully all agree on a solution that works to accomplish the team’s goals. Show appreciation for contributions, large and small, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remaining flexible can go a long way toward team unity and successful outcomes.

Adaptability

Employees who can adapt are always an asset, and this is a good skill to start practicing while you’re still in school. As technology, including generative AI, continues to improve at a rapid pace, the ability to change and upskill is more valuable than ever. Developing a growth mindset by embracing continued learning will have a significant impact on a student’s ability to adapt not only now, but throughout their processional career. Try to learn something new every week by reading articles, watching TED Talks, or talking to subject matter experts. Finally, looking for the positive sides of change will help you remain mindful and ready to adapt.

Creativity

In the context of power skills, creativity is often seen as the ability to solve problems in a new way. No matter the context, students can increase their creativity with practice. Don’t expect perfection; just keep coming up with new ideas. Sometimes people will feel blocked creatively, but a block is only temporary. Going outside, having a snack, or even working on something completely different for a while can open up new avenues to take you around or through your creative block.

Critical Thinking

Employees and students who can think critically are able to synthesize information to arrive at a logical, fact-based conclusion to make the best decision possible and give logical explanations to other stakeholders. According to a work management expert, there are seven steps to building critical thinking skills:

Identify the problem: Look at the problem from different angles.
Research: Collect information from varied, reliable sources.
Determine data relevance: Leave out information that doesn’t relate to your problem.
Ask questions: Are there other variables? Do I have any biases? Are there other viewpoints?
Identify the best solution: Connect causes and effects. Don’t be surprised if there is more than one solution.
Present your solution: Presenting your findings to others may help you—and your audience—spot problems with your solutions or process.
Analyze your decision: After putting your solution in place, ask yourself if it actually solved the problem. What worked? What didn’t? How can I improve next time?

Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Awareness

Emotional intelligence is about learning to understand our emotions and those of others. Knowing ourselves can help us manage our emotions in stressful times. Empathy allows us to show grace to others who may be going through a tough time. Pay attention when strong emotions arise in yourself and others, and then take a step back. Show empathy and try to understand the emotion. It may not have anything to do with the problem at hand. Showing grace and patience to yourself and your teammates can go a long way. Just listening in a nonjudgmental manner can take the pressure out of many tense situations, building trust and ultimately stronger relationships.

How to Gain Power Skills in High School

Opportunities to improve power skills are everywhere while still in school and working on group projects is a perfect example. Embracing group projects is a wonderful way to improve communication and teamwork skills. Working toward a common goal is a fantastic way to build relationships. Students should be prepared to work through conflicts, which inevitably arise when working in groups. Respect, understanding, and a willingness to adapt can go a long way to resolving conflicts in a positive way. Of course, there are many other ways to improve power skills, such as mentoring others, participating in team sports, and simply paying attention to the people around you.