The Creative Destruction of Your Job

Sharing economy businesses such as Airbnb, Threadless, Über and iStockphoto, have taken advantage of crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, and crowdletting to reach thousands of people willing to offer their services and expertise at a much lower price than traditional experts. However, such a business model has put professionals out of work and replaced them with casual, one-off opportunities. Despite its advantages for consumers, the sharing economy poses challenges to those who depend on stable, high-paying jobs. Education and retraining are solutions to these challenges, which will enable individuals to adjust to new economies. Making education more affordable and accessible is the key to ensuring individuals are equipped with the right skills for today's economy.