Celebrating Commencements and Fresh Career Starts
By Betsy Cohen, Philanthropic Futurist at FutureGood Consultancy
June: A Season of Fresh Starts
June is more than graduation season — it’s a time of fresh starts for both new graduates stepping into their careers and for professionals wondering what’s next.
The job market is evolving fast. Whether you’re just beginning or reinventing your path, understanding where opportunity is headed is key.
A Look Back: Betsy’s TEDxStLouis Talk
When I took the TEDxStLouis stage in 2023, I shared how international talent strengthens our region.
At the time, I was executive director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project, a regional initiative focused on attracting and supporting immigrant talent. The project is part of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, which drives business growth, and the World Trade Center St. Louis, which connects local companies to global opportunities.
I saw firsthand how immigrants bring resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Though they make up just 5% of the local population, their impact spans every sector, enriching both our economy and our communities.
Today at FutureGood, a consultancy helping foundations, nonprofits, and changemakers anticipate and shape what’s next, I work with leaders to build bold, future-ready strategies. Because the future of work isn’t on the horizon — it’s already underway.
Where the Jobs Are Going
St. Louis is preparing for growth in six high-opportunity sectors:
Advanced manufacturing
Bioscience and health
Digital transformation
Financial and business services
Mobility and transportation
Agricultural technology (agtech)
These industries will drive the region’s economic future, but their success depends on a workforce prepared to lead the way. That means:
Investing in digital and technical skills
Expanding access for those too often excluded, including immigrants and residents of underinvested neighborhoods
As I’ve often heard: “Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.”
Potential exists in every community, but without intentional investment in access, training, and support, too many people are denied the chance to contribute their skills and ideas. Creating a more inclusive pathway into these industries isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential for shared prosperity.
Megatrends You Can’t Ignore
Two major forces are reshaping careers globally — and it’s happening fast.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is transforming how we work across every field. According to McKinsey & Company, five types of AI agents are already making an impact:
Copilot agents assisting with writing, research, and productivity
Workflow automation tools handling routine processes
Generative AI agents creating content or reimagining workflows
AI-native enterprises integrating AI into every aspect of operations
AI virtual workers taking on specific tasks, like customer service or data analysis
Whether you’re analyzing financial trends or crafting fundraising campaigns, chances are AI is already changing your role. Learning to work with these tools isn’t a bonus — it’s a baseline skill.
2. Climate Migration and Climate Technology
As climate patterns shift, so will agriculture, economies, and populations. Communities will need to adapt quickly with:
New crops
New technologies
New systems to support displaced workers
Entire career fields will emerge around climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and migration strategy.
What You Can Do Now
Whether you’re graduating or reimagining your career, this is the moment to take action:
Keep learning: Digital skills and industry-specific training are more accessible than ever.
Look ahead: Explore sectors and organizations that are growing, mission-driven, and investing in people.
Open doors: Support policies and practices that create opportunities for all — because when more people thrive, we all do.
We’re standing at the edge of a new world of work.
The question is: how will you step into it?
Watch the Talk
Watch Betsy Cohen’s TEDx Talk, performed October 27, 2023, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.
The Speaker Spotlight Series celebrates past TEDx speakers from the St. Louis area, highlighting their latest projects, ideas, and sources of inspiration. Join us at our next live event! Follow us on social media, join our email list, and discover how you can get involved at tedxsaintlouis.org.