Source: Yahoo
The point is: The world changes and careers change with it. That's still true today, with many industries booming while others are going bust.
We're assuming you don't want to be pursuing a career in the latter category. So, to help you avoid that, we've identified five declining careers that are falling far short of the average job growth rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor projects as 11 percent from 2012 to 2022.
But we don't want to be total downers. So we've also found five alternative careers that are growing faster than the national average.
Read on to see which jobs have their days numbered and which ones will ride well into the future.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -2 percent
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, information clerks perform clerical tasks such as collecting data, maintaining records, and providing information to customers. They also prepare routine office correspondence like bills and orders.
Why It's on Death's Door: The world is going digital, and that has some serious consequences for these professionals.
According to the Department of Labor, growth will be stunted as businesses automate and consolidate their administrative functions.
Sure, many companies keep paper copies, but there is usually a digital copy that generated it, explains Susan Heathfield, a management consultant and author of About.com's Guide to Human Resources.
"And with the growing confidence in the security of digital files, along with the space-saving aspect and ease of access to them thanks to efficient databases, more and more businesses will go paperless," she says.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +25 percent
Computer systems analysts design computer systems, conduct tests, and analyze information to increase an organization's efficiency, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Will Grow: "It's very hard to find an organization of any size that doesn't have a computer person in the mix," says Dr. Anthony Carnevale, director of Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. Computer systems analysts will be needed for the foreseeable future, he explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Surprisingly, a lot of jobs will be driven by the booming health care industry, according to Heathfield. "There's increased pressure to have medical records available digitally and universally, so that when you go to various specialists, they have access to all your records," she says. That takes sophisticated computer systems in doctors' offices and hospitals, along with computer systems analysts to oversee them, she adds.
How to Pursue It: A bachelor's degree in a computer or information science field is typical for this career, notes the Department of Labor. But some employers also hire applicants with a bachelor's in business or liberal arts combined with skills in information technology or computer programming.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -5 percent
Desktop publishers use software to design layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other printed and online materials, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's on Death's Door: A lot of people read books and magazines on their phones or tablets - which should tell you something about where the desktop publishing profession is headed.
According to the Department of Labor, companies are increasingly handing off the tasks of desktop publishers to graphic and web designers.
Print media and advertising is being taken over by the web, which is taking away a lot of business from desktop publishers, says Heathfield. "There are powerful and easy-to-use computer programs that let anyone do what used to only be done by professional desktop publishers," she adds.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +20 percent
Web developers are the folks who create and design websites, doing everything from writing code to creating applications, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Will Grow: This is a no-brainer, says Heathfield. "The world is on the web now, and it's not slowing down soon. Every business has a presence on the web, and they'll need people to design it," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming & Software Program.
In addition, she says e-commerce is the way of the future. "Just look at all the bookstores, video stores, and other brick-and-mortar businesses that have shut their doors thanks to competition from online sellers," notes Heathfield.
How to Pursue It: The requirements for web designers vary from a high school diploma to an associate's degree or bachelor's degree, depending on the position, reports the Department of Labor. For web architect or more technical positions, some employers prefer applicants who have at least a bachelor's in computer science, programming, or a related field.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -3 percent
Fashion designers sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give directions on manufacturing their products, reports the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's on Death's Door: Apparently, the world has enough Ralph Lauren's and Donna Karan's. And the supposed glamour of this job isn't enough to make up for its lack of growth.
With the increase in the amount of clothing designed and manufactured overseas, the need for domestic designers has been reduced, says Heathfield.
And fashion designers aren't the only ones suffering. Their job opportunities are limited as a result of declining employment in the overall apparel manufacturing company, notes the Department of Labor.
The shimmer of good news: Fashion designers will still be needed in the everyday wear market, as well as in the development and use of new clothing technology, adds the Department.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +33 percent
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, meeting, convention, and event planners who coordinate all the details of an event, such as selecting locations, planning schedules, and inspecting venues. You might even get to set the dress code.
Why It Will Grow: Even though we live in an increasingly digital world, there will always be a need for face-to-face time, says Heathfield. "In fact, [the digital world] probably makes it more important than ever. And with so many people working remotely, company events have become that much more important," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Marketing Program.
And thanks to the popularity of social media, marketing has become even more vital, with company events being a big part of promoting a positive company image, Heathfield explains. So event planners are seen as valuable staff who often work closely with marketing departments, she says.
How to Pursue It: Meeting, convention, and event planners typically need a bachelor's degree in hospitality or tourism management, notes the Department of Labor. Other related majors include marketing, public relations, and communications.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +6 percent
Office clerks take care of a variety of administrative tasks, such as answering telephones, typing, and maintaining records, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's On Death's Door: While it's true that offices won't be disappearing any time soon, don't expect lots of job growth for general office clerks. The main reason for the bleak years ahead for this career is increased digitization and automation, says Heathfield. So there's less need for office clerks when computer programs can do so much.
While there will always be some need, for many businesses, one clerk can now do the job of two or three workers, thanks to technology, she says.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +46 percent
Diagnostic medical sonographers use sophisticated imaging equipment to create images of patients' organs or tissues to diagnose medical conditions, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Will Grow: "The big reason, of course, is the aging of the baby boomers and the resulting increase in the need for medical tests," says Heathfield.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Sonography Program.
In addition to the aging population, demand for this job is driven by great advances in medical technology and the desire of people to live longer, healthier, more active lives, she explains. "That all means more diagnostic tests," she says. And that means more diagnostic medical sonographers.
How to Pursue It: Diagnostic medical sonographers need formal education, such as an associate's degree or a postsecondary certificate, says the Department. Bachelor's degrees in sonography are also offered.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -4 percent
Tax examiners and collectors ensure that the government - federal, state, and local - gets their tax money from citizens and businesses, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Their job involves reviewing tax returns, conducting audits, and collecting overdue tax payments.
Why It's on Death's Door: Do you like government? If polls are any indication, there's an excellent chance you want government to downsize. That, along with the need and demand for government budget-cutting, spells trouble for these workers, says Heathfield.
The Department of Labor notes that employment for these workers depends primarily on future changes to local, state, and federal government budgets. And in recent years, government agencies have not been hiring tax examiners and collectors as much because of reduced budgets.
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +13 percent
Accountants and auditors do more than count beans, or even money. They help organizations run efficiently, keep proper financial records, and yes, prepare and pay taxes, says the U.S. Department of Labor. And for businesses, those things will never go out of style.
Why It Will Grow: "Businesses will always want to make a profit, and to do that, they need to keep track of their income and spending and run efficiently," says Heathfield, "so accountants will always be needed." But you will need to keep up with the latest accounting software, because she reiterates that everything is going digital.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
In addition, because of all the financial scandals and poor bookkeeping of the past decade, businesses are now under more pressure than ever to do things right, says Carnevale. That means accountants will always have a job, he says.
How to Pursue It: Most accountant positions require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, says the Department of Labor.
Proceed with caution before pursuing these dead-end jobs - and consider these booming alternatives instead.
Westfield, Massachusetts, known as "Whip City," once had 40 buggy whip manufacturers. Now, it has one, and most of its products are for equestrian activities.The point is: The world changes and careers change with it. That's still true today, with many industries booming while others are going bust.
We're assuming you don't want to be pursuing a career in the latter category. So, to help you avoid that, we've identified five declining careers that are falling far short of the average job growth rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor projects as 11 percent from 2012 to 2022.
But we don't want to be total downers. So we've also found five alternative careers that are growing faster than the national average.
Read on to see which jobs have their days numbered and which ones will ride well into the future.
Dying Job #1: Information Clerk
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -2 percentAccording to the U.S. Department of Labor, information clerks perform clerical tasks such as collecting data, maintaining records, and providing information to customers. They also prepare routine office correspondence like bills and orders.
Why It's on Death's Door: The world is going digital, and that has some serious consequences for these professionals.
According to the Department of Labor, growth will be stunted as businesses automate and consolidate their administrative functions.
Sure, many companies keep paper copies, but there is usually a digital copy that generated it, explains Susan Heathfield, a management consultant and author of About.com's Guide to Human Resources.
"And with the growing confidence in the security of digital files, along with the space-saving aspect and ease of access to them thanks to efficient databases, more and more businesses will go paperless," she says.
Growing Job #1: Computer Systems Analyst
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +25 percentComputer systems analysts design computer systems, conduct tests, and analyze information to increase an organization's efficiency, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Will Grow: "It's very hard to find an organization of any size that doesn't have a computer person in the mix," says Dr. Anthony Carnevale, director of Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. Computer systems analysts will be needed for the foreseeable future, he explains.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Surprisingly, a lot of jobs will be driven by the booming health care industry, according to Heathfield. "There's increased pressure to have medical records available digitally and universally, so that when you go to various specialists, they have access to all your records," she says. That takes sophisticated computer systems in doctors' offices and hospitals, along with computer systems analysts to oversee them, she adds.
How to Pursue It: A bachelor's degree in a computer or information science field is typical for this career, notes the Department of Labor. But some employers also hire applicants with a bachelor's in business or liberal arts combined with skills in information technology or computer programming.
Dying Job #2: Desktop Publisher
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -5 percentDesktop publishers use software to design layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other printed and online materials, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's on Death's Door: A lot of people read books and magazines on their phones or tablets - which should tell you something about where the desktop publishing profession is headed.
According to the Department of Labor, companies are increasingly handing off the tasks of desktop publishers to graphic and web designers.
Print media and advertising is being taken over by the web, which is taking away a lot of business from desktop publishers, says Heathfield. "There are powerful and easy-to-use computer programs that let anyone do what used to only be done by professional desktop publishers," she adds.
Growing Job #2: Web Developer
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +20 percentWeb developers are the folks who create and design websites, doing everything from writing code to creating applications, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Will Grow: This is a no-brainer, says Heathfield. "The world is on the web now, and it's not slowing down soon. Every business has a presence on the web, and they'll need people to design it," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Programming & Software Program.
In addition, she says e-commerce is the way of the future. "Just look at all the bookstores, video stores, and other brick-and-mortar businesses that have shut their doors thanks to competition from online sellers," notes Heathfield.
How to Pursue It: The requirements for web designers vary from a high school diploma to an associate's degree or bachelor's degree, depending on the position, reports the Department of Labor. For web architect or more technical positions, some employers prefer applicants who have at least a bachelor's in computer science, programming, or a related field.
Dying Job #3: Fashion Designer
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Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -3 percentFashion designers sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give directions on manufacturing their products, reports the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's on Death's Door: Apparently, the world has enough Ralph Lauren's and Donna Karan's. And the supposed glamour of this job isn't enough to make up for its lack of growth.
With the increase in the amount of clothing designed and manufactured overseas, the need for domestic designers has been reduced, says Heathfield.
And fashion designers aren't the only ones suffering. Their job opportunities are limited as a result of declining employment in the overall apparel manufacturing company, notes the Department of Labor.
The shimmer of good news: Fashion designers will still be needed in the everyday wear market, as well as in the development and use of new clothing technology, adds the Department.
Growing Job #3: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +33 percentAccording to the U.S. Department of Labor, meeting, convention, and event planners who coordinate all the details of an event, such as selecting locations, planning schedules, and inspecting venues. You might even get to set the dress code.
Why It Will Grow: Even though we live in an increasingly digital world, there will always be a need for face-to-face time, says Heathfield. "In fact, [the digital world] probably makes it more important than ever. And with so many people working remotely, company events have become that much more important," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Marketing Program.
And thanks to the popularity of social media, marketing has become even more vital, with company events being a big part of promoting a positive company image, Heathfield explains. So event planners are seen as valuable staff who often work closely with marketing departments, she says.
How to Pursue It: Meeting, convention, and event planners typically need a bachelor's degree in hospitality or tourism management, notes the Department of Labor. Other related majors include marketing, public relations, and communications.
Dying Job #4: General Office Clerk
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +6 percentOffice clerks take care of a variety of administrative tasks, such as answering telephones, typing, and maintaining records, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's On Death's Door: While it's true that offices won't be disappearing any time soon, don't expect lots of job growth for general office clerks. The main reason for the bleak years ahead for this career is increased digitization and automation, says Heathfield. So there's less need for office clerks when computer programs can do so much.
While there will always be some need, for many businesses, one clerk can now do the job of two or three workers, thanks to technology, she says.
Growing Job #4: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +46 percentDiagnostic medical sonographers use sophisticated imaging equipment to create images of patients' organs or tissues to diagnose medical conditions, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Will Grow: "The big reason, of course, is the aging of the baby boomers and the resulting increase in the need for medical tests," says Heathfield.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Sonography Program.
In addition to the aging population, demand for this job is driven by great advances in medical technology and the desire of people to live longer, healthier, more active lives, she explains. "That all means more diagnostic tests," she says. And that means more diagnostic medical sonographers.
How to Pursue It: Diagnostic medical sonographers need formal education, such as an associate's degree or a postsecondary certificate, says the Department. Bachelor's degrees in sonography are also offered.
Dying Job #5: Tax Examiner and Collector
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: -4 percentTax examiners and collectors ensure that the government - federal, state, and local - gets their tax money from citizens and businesses, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Their job involves reviewing tax returns, conducting audits, and collecting overdue tax payments.
Why It's on Death's Door: Do you like government? If polls are any indication, there's an excellent chance you want government to downsize. That, along with the need and demand for government budget-cutting, spells trouble for these workers, says Heathfield.
The Department of Labor notes that employment for these workers depends primarily on future changes to local, state, and federal government budgets. And in recent years, government agencies have not been hiring tax examiners and collectors as much because of reduced budgets.
Growing Job #5: Accountant and Auditor
Find Programs
Expected Job Growth 2012 - 2022*: +13 percentAccountants and auditors do more than count beans, or even money. They help organizations run efficiently, keep proper financial records, and yes, prepare and pay taxes, says the U.S. Department of Labor. And for businesses, those things will never go out of style.
Why It Will Grow: "Businesses will always want to make a profit, and to do that, they need to keep track of their income and spending and run efficiently," says Heathfield, "so accountants will always be needed." But you will need to keep up with the latest accounting software, because she reiterates that everything is going digital.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
In addition, because of all the financial scandals and poor bookkeeping of the past decade, businesses are now under more pressure than ever to do things right, says Carnevale. That means accountants will always have a job, he says.
How to Pursue It: Most accountant positions require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, says the Department of Labor.
Choosing to earn a bachelor's in nursing can be rewarding in more
ways than one. In addition to preparing to pursue a career helping
others, the outlook appears bright. The unemployment rate for recent
nursing graduates was 4.8 percent, reports the Georgetown study.
Hoping to make your mark as the next Frank Lloyd Wright? Not so fast -
a bachelor's degree in architecture might mean facing a higher
unemployment rate than you're expecting. According to the Georgetown
study, the unemployment rate for recent college graduates who majored in
architecture was 12.8 percent.
Have you always enjoyed learning? Perhaps you'd like to be on the
other side of the teacher's desk one day. Then, a bachelor's degree in
elementary education might be right for you. Plus, recent college grads
who majored in elementary education saw a low unemployment rate of just 5
percent, according to the Georgetown study.
Fascinated by world cultures? Before you spend the time, energy - and
money - on a bachelor's in anthropology, take a look at its
unemployment rate: 12.6 percent, notes the Georgetown study.
Money talks, and this bachelor's degree could help you join the
conversation. According to the Georgetown study, the unemployment rate
for recent finance graduates was 5.9 percent.
Think a bachelor's degree in film, video, or photography will mean a
life of creative fulfillment and satisfaction? It's a beautiful dream,
but the reality might make you reconsider. According to the Georgetown
study, the unemployment rate for recent film, video, and photography
arts graduates was 11.4 percent.
"House Of Cards" fan? Don't assume earning your bachelor's in
political science will land you a job working for a White House staffer.
Political science had a high unemployment rate of 11.1 percent for
recent college graduates, notes the Georgetown study. Wondering why?
Looking for a versatile degree with good prospects? Consider business
management and administration. Aside from the professional doors this
degree could open, the Georgetown study lists the unemployment rate for
business management and administration majors at 7.8 percent.
Selfless and caring are two words people would use to describe you.
But if you'd rather get to helping people sooner rather than later,
nursing could be right up your alley.
Have you made a few sound investments or do you just have good
instincts when it comes to dollars and cents? You might be able to put
your natural aptitude for cash to work for you by preparing to pursue a
career as a financial analyst.
Creative is your middle name. You've always been full of ideas and
are constantly coming up with new ways to do things. That's why you
might be a perfect fit for pursuing a career as an art director, where
you could be compensated extremely well for those big ideas, all without
ever having to spend time earning a graduate degree or doctorate.
If you like the idea of designing apps and creating new computer
programs, software development might be just right for you. But did you
know that it could be a viable, high-paying career and that advanced
degrees aren't necessary to qualify for many positions?
Always thought being an astronaut would be super cool? Well, what
about designing the aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites used by
astronauts? Turns out a career as an aerospace engineer doesn't require a
PhD and still pays well more than $60K a year for most workers in this
profession.