Globalization was the term introduced in the epoch after capitalism, when the world economy started unification and when the majority of the states began cooperating and supporting each other in various situations. Now trade is an ongoing process, occurring all over the world because miscellaneous countries conclude cooperation agreements and work together on certain projects (Contractor, 2022). Globalization has led not only to the fact that the economy is becoming globalized, but it is also currently adjusting to the new circumstances caused by the epidemic of coronavirus. This paper aims to introduce a plan of action to ensure my continued employability as a professional in the sphere of international affairs.
The global integration of multiple cultural traditions, specific features of the economy, political system, and religion into a single whole is globalization. It is the genuine rapprochement of different peoples; they merge at numerous levels. Integration, interpenetration, and cultural enrichment are on one side of the coin. On the other hand, globalization leads to unification, that is, to the creation of uniform systems similar to each other (Patnaik, 2020). The foundation of this process is the economy, meaning that the markets are being united in stabilizing the financial flows worldwide (Madhok, 2021). It is supposed to establish equality and stability in financial operations. However, the ever-developing world was put under strain once COVID-19 hit every field of human life.
After the end of the pandemic, restrictions and controls will not be lifted, and the world will become more manageable, which at first will be readily accepted by the frightened population, who have exchanged their rights and privacy for guarantees of security and stability. States will expand the spheres of control over life, introduce biometric identifiers, strictly regulate vital industries, and increase order and economic growth, but block entrepreneurial activity (COVID-19 and the world, n. d.). Developed countries and monopolistic companies will increase their share of research and development, strictly protecting the intellectual property associated with them (Madhok, 2021). Russia and India will introduce strict internal standards for the control and certification of IT innovations, and the USA and the EU will make a breakthrough in the development and dissemination of technologies around the world (Patnaik, 2020). It signifies the drastic changes in the economic systems of many countries.
Among the planned innovations of the post-pandemic society are functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners at airports and public places to detect abnormal behavior (antisocial intentions). It is believed that developers will create new, “smart” packaging for food and beverages, considering the threats of a pandemic and health screening as a prerequisite for discharge from hospital or prison (Contractor, 2022). Technologies of remote control for groups of the population whose trips are limited and own independent regional IT networks of nation-states, simulating China’s firewalls with varying degrees of state control will be introduced (Patnaik, 2020). But over time, the strictness of many strict rules will cause inconvenience and discontent even among supporters of stability and predictability, which will cause riots in countries against governments and national borders established by them.
These flows’ speed, intensity, and depth of penetration increase as national economies become interdependent. Elements of national economies (national producers, consumers, financial and other institutions) are directly integrated into a single global economic space (Patnaik, 2020). As a result, national producers are becoming increasingly connected with foreign consumers. Accordingly, in the domestic markets, in the struggle for national consumers, they are forced to compete on an equal footing with foreign economic entities (Madhok, 2021). Thus, if there was a quantitative increase in the interaction of individual national economies in the form of an increase in the flows of goods, capital, and investments, today, there is a qualitative change in their interaction.
Globalization leads to national economies becoming part of a single global economic system, that is, a globalized economy. It means the output of the activities of federal economic entities beyond the framework of national-state associations. It also signifies “private” financial problems rise to the global level – the development of the economic situation and processes in individual countries affects other states (Contractor, 2022). International coordination of national economic policies is becoming relevant as a condition for the stability of the world financial system.
All these changes inevitably lead to the idea that the economy may well be undermined, leaving no space for human employability. It means that the machines may substitute people, and there will be no choice but to adjust to the circumstances (COVID-19 and the world, n. d.). The ability of one to be marketable is becoming more indispensable as the world is rapidly altering towards automatization and dehumanization. Numerous working positions turned to online mode, making people more isolated and limiting socialization. Yet, the Internet space provides unique opportunities for marketing oneself as a professional.
Even though some professions as doctors or scientists, cannot be fully transferred to online mode, the thought of automatizing related processes is currently being considered. When speaking about working in the area of international affairs, it is easy to imagine working remotely. However, it does not necessarily mean that in-field employees should start working at a distance. It signifies that one has to be more marketable with the development of technologies. When speaking about the concrete actions regarding sustaining my employability during the pandemic, it is vital to mention the field of international affairs, which will be expanding with less speed due to the reduction of international trade. Therefore, boosting one’s awareness of global issues and creating a plan to maintain employability in terms of economic globalization is beneficial.
The first step of a plan includes possessing technical skills related to the transition to the digital economy, which is a key requirement for an employee today, regardless of their functionality. Moreover, the demand for such skills is growing every year, meaning that any professional in any position should have basic elementary knowledge of numbers and figures (Marlar, 2020). Expanding learning in the field of international affairs requires knowing the statistical data. Hence, one should be able to perform simple calculations on the basis of gathered information to make predictions and understand global tendencies.
The next step is to obtain and deepen knowledge of international processes. To be in demand in the labor market, one must constantly develop. Constantly learning something new will keep a brain in good shape and allow a person to look at problems more broadly (Marlar, 2020). It means that an international affairs worker should be aware of the most significant issue raised worldwide and pay attention to their importance and effect on the country where I am based. In addition to new information acquisition, I must be fully concerned about the affairs happening on the local level to be capable of linking the world, state, and municipal events and their interdependence.
Soft skills are the main skills of the new decade, which are already needed here and now in any profession. This concept includes a wide range of skills and characteristics: the ability to manage people, inspire, understand, motivate, be a mentor, unite teams, the ability to perceive feedback, the ability to communicate, negotiate, set goals, and achieve them. Therefore, I will enroll in the soft skill development course to be able to communicate effectively in the international context.
The final stage of the plan is to register in online professional communities to advertise myself as well as consult with other specialists on debatable issues. Additionally, this action will help me stay informed of the vacant positions in the market. It is an ideal option for those seeking support, especially in terms of intercultural communication. Finding working partners helps professionals improve their collaborative skills and expand their horizons.
In conclusion, globalization is merging countries’ economies, political affairs, cultures, and other components. It presumes the unification of the world, which is supposed to increase equality and standardize the global community. The idea of a globalized economy has been specifically considered with the surge of a pandemic. The spread of COVID-19 has put limitations on numerous aspects of life, causing a drastic decline in the labor market. It is vital to become more marketable to avoid losing a job and maintain one’s employability in times of world crisis. The plan includes staying informed, upgrading knowledge, attending soft skills development courses, and seeking online professional communities. These simple steps are a practical guide toward increasing one’s marketability.
References
Contractor F. J. (2022). The world economy will need even more globalization in the post-pandemic 2021 decade. Journal of International Business Studies, 53(1), 156-171.
COVID-19 and the world of work. (n. d.). International Labour Organization. Web.
Madhok, A. (2021). Globalization, de-globalization, and re-globalization: Some historical context and the impact of the COVID pandemic. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 24(3), 199-203.
Marlar, J. (2020). Assessing the impact of new technologies on the labor market: Key constructs, gaps, and data collection strategies for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web.
Patnaik, P. (2020). Globalization and the Pandemic. Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, 9(3), 331-341.