Globalization and advanced technology are changing the world at a very fast pace. The two components are intertwined since technology advancement in the 21st century has led to increased globalization and now, the world is a global village. People from different regions of the world can share their divergent economic, social, cultural, political, and technological differences.
In general, technology is now the driving force of globalization. This means that different cultures, products, ideologies, and opinions can be shared by people with different cultural diversity. Although globalization is associated with numerous benefits, it has also led to various problems in the society.
For example, globalization also led to increase in terror attacks, displacement of certain careers, political unrests, increased competition, and erosion of different cultural beliefs. The paper seeks to critically analyse the problem(s) globalization will have to systems engineer in the modern future. Increased levels of globalization will negatively impact the career of a system engineer in the future.
Globalization lacks a definite definition but it is used in reference to the amalgamation of political, cultural, social, technological, and economic forces of individual nationals, and how they affect society (Ray 1). Based on this definition, globalization will have an effect on virtually all the spheres of the society which influence individuals’ welfare and wellbeing.
With regard to systems engineering, globalization will lead to increased competition in the workplace as corporations will be on the lookout for the best and most qualified candidates for the jobs available in the market (OECD 26). The increased competition will be catapulted by the fact that technology is no longer confined to a single nation.
For example, the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and science) education program has become widespread in different nations as a result of globalization. Every year, systems engineers graduate from universities and technological colleges, resulting to increased competition in the workplace. Also, globalization has enabled engineering based firms to outsource system engineers with better technology, grades, and experience from other nations (Vest 2006).
For instance, a U.S based firm like Google Inc. will be in a position to outsource system engineers from Japan, Korea or China because of the platform offered by globalization.
This is a threat to the career of a systems engineer as he/she is required to compete not only at a national level but at an international level as well. It also implies that one will have to meet international standards to be able to get a job as a systems engineer. A system engineer is now required to embrace the latest technology that is being offered and also be in touch with the technological changes in the world.
Information technology is changing on a daily basis due to the demand created by globalization. For instance, the mobile industry is one of the most dynamic industries today and is characterized by a very high rate of expansion. As a result, a systems engineer will be required to adopt the different changes in technology that could aid him/her perform duties as a system engineer in a more effective and efficient manner (Vest 2006).
In the decades, globalization was very low while technological changes were very slow. However, the current platform requires a systems engineer to be acquainted with the latest technology that is applicable in the workplace. This is a problem in the sense that a system engineer will be required to be more innovative than ever to be in a position to compete internationally.
As a result of globalization, systems engineers are now required to have the latest technology if at all they are to remain relevant in the workplace. Also, a system engineer will be required to engage in numerous research and development activities so that he/she can compete and work at an international level.
As a nation, the United State is characterized by a large cultural diversity in the workplace and at the national level (Vest 2006). This is because the country has opened its doors to people of different nationalities so that they can increase their academic knowledge or work experience.
This has been necessitated by globalization. Gone are the days when engineering firms used to employ Americans in the workplace as nowadays people of different cultural backgrounds are employed in U.S. As a result, a system engineer will have to be trained in communication skills so that he/she can be in a position of communicating well in a culturally diversified workplace (Vest 2006).
They will also be required to be in able to accommodate different technological differences and challenges resulting from globalization. Although projections by the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics (5) indicate that there will be an increase in jobs from different sectors especially information technology and science, communication may create a barrier in getting these jobs.
The continued increase in the rate of globalization means that a systems engineer from the U.S will be able to work in China or Korea. These are countries that have very deep cultural backgrounds such as Confucianism. Therefore, for a system engineer to be employed in these nations and compete favorably, he/she will be required to learn different cultural backgrounds.
They will also be required to learn how to associate with employees from different socio-cultural backgrounds to avoid conflict in the workplace. In other instances, a system engineer working in foreign nations where there is cultural shock and language barrier, will be required to participate less as communicating ideas and opinions will not be harbored. This will affect the effectiveness of the system engineer working in a foreign workplace.
The same applies to foreigners working in U.S based systems engineering firms. According to Vest (2006), different working environments are incorporating systems engineering in their work schedule largely due to globalization and technology. As a result, a system engineer will be required to diversify in many subjects to compete favorably in the workplace. This has been echoed by the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics (144) which observes that competition will increase in engineering related jobs.
Based on the critical analysis, it can be concluded that globalization will impact negatively on the career of a systems engineer in many aspects despite the increase in job vacancies. It will lead to increased competition in the workplace as companies will be seeking highly skilled and competent employees thus limiting the chances of getting employed. It will also require a systems engineer to be able to compete internationally as globalization leads to unification.
Therefore, a system engineer will be required to have the latest technology and skills if at all they want to get jobs at the international level. They will be required to learn more communication and interpersonal skills to enable them socialize with different work colleagues with different cultural backgrounds. In instances where employees work in culturally different areas, the employees’ ideas may go unnoticed because of language barrier and fear of expressions. Therefore, globalization will have a negative influence on the career path of a systems engineer in the future.
Work Cited
OECD. Skills Upgrading: New Policy Perspectives. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2006. Print.
Ray, Larry. J. Globalization and everyday life. New York: Routledge, 2007. Print.
United States Bureau of Labour Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Washington, D.C: U.S. G.P.O, 2010. Print.
Vest, Charles. M.” Educating engineers for 2020 and beyond”. The Bridge, 6(3).