High School

Most futurists have an interdisciplinary background. They are constantly tying bits of information and knowledge from many fields together to propose future scenarios. As a result, you should take a full college-preparatory schedule of classes that helps you to build your general knowledge and your critical-thinking skills. Recommended classes include social studies, government, science, psychology, mathematics, philosophy, and computer science. You’ll need strong writing and oral communication skills, so be sure to take speech and English courses. Joining the debate team is also a good idea, since you’ll frequently be required to explain and defend your ideas during strategic foresight conferences and media appearances. Since many futurists study world events, proficiency in at least one foreign language will come in handy.

Postsecondary Education

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any major is required to enter the field, but many futurists have graduate degrees. Some U.S. colleges offer classes in futures studies, foresight, alternative futures, and strategic planning, and a few offer graduate degrees and certificates, including:

• University of Houston: https://uh.edu/technology/programs/graduate/foresight
• University of Hawaii, Manoa: http://www.futures.hawaii.edu
• California College of the Arts: https://www.cca.edu/design/design-strategy

The Acceleration Studies Foundation offers a list of global futures studies programs at https://sites.google.com/site/globalforesightwiki/foresightprograms.

Certification

The University of Houston offers a professional certificate in foresight. Topics include alternative perspectives, scenario development, implications analysis, change management, issue-based planning, and framework forecasting. Visit https://uh.edu/technology/programs/professional/fore for more information.  

Other Education or Training

Professional associations such as the World Future Society, Association of Professional Futurists, Association for Strategic Planning, and the World Future Studies Federation offer continuing education opportunities at their annual conferences and other association-sponsored events. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

College students, apprentices, and those who are new to strategic planning can earn the strategic planning associate credential from the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP). Applicants must be student members of the association and have a senior planning professional mentor (one who is preferably ASP certified). The ASP also offers two higher level credentials—strategic planning professional and strategic management professional—to those who have at least a bachelor’s degree, meet minimum experience requirements, and pass an examination. Contact the ASP for more information. 

Futurists need at least three years of work experience (and demonstrated expertise in a particular field), several years under the tutelage of a futurist mentor, or the completion of a master’s degree in future studies.

Successful futurists have a deep love of knowledge, excellent research skills, curiosity, and a good imagination. It is important that they approach their deliberations about the future with an open mind (i.e., having no opinion about what is going to happen or preconceived notions about potential “players” in future forecasts) in order to provide unbiased projections. Strong writing and oral communication skills are essential because futurists spend a lot of time writing reports, communicating via e-mail, posting their thoughts on social media and their Web sites, and making presentations to company executives and at industry conferences. Other important traits include being comfortable with uncertainty, a willingness to continue to learn throughout one’s career, a deep understanding of systems thinking, foreign language skills, an analytical and detail-oriented personality, and strong critical-thinking skills.