Constant interaction with technology often leaves people looking for ways to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with humans. When it comes to the future of work, this is welcomed news.

While technology may seem to consume us at times, whether personally or professionally, the jobs of the future will actually place more value on how well you interact with other people, not with technology. It is the skills that make us uniquely human that will be the most in-demand in the future job market, such as leadership, effective communication, and management.

Related content: Here’s what online programs do right–and what they can improve

Shrinking the skills gap with human connections
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There is real concern that in certain industries, automation will replace jobs that were once filled by humans. There is also a national conversation around the skills gap, or the discrepancy between the skills U.S. workers have and the skills required by U.S. businesses to remain globally competitive, and the fact that the future workforce may not be prepared for what’s to come.

Moreover, soon, one-third of students expect to study online, which presents a unique challenge for online higher-ed institutions. Consider these four strategies that student-centered online universities are following to keep human connection strong and support better workforce development.

About the Author:

Alison Bell has more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience and is the chancellor of WGU Indiana, a nonprofit, online university offering 60+ degrees in the four colleges of business, teaching, I.T. and health/nursing. WGU Indiana is the first-ever state model within Western Governors University and prides itself on being the nation’s first accredited competency-based university as well as having a diverse student body across the entire state of Indiana.

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