While some careers are projected to disappear in droves, others are experiencing booming growth.
Do you have a sneaking suspicion that your current field resembles an
endangered species? If so, you might not be alone in feeling like a
dinosaur.
According to Las Vegas-based career expert Denise Nicole Cook, people
working in professions that are experiencing increased automation and
technological change could find their jobs practically extinct in the
not-too-distant future.
"Pay attention to the industry you're in, because even if it's not
currently automated, it may be automated in the future," says Cook,
founder of The Honest Info career counseling firm.
Sound like your career, or one you're planning to pursue? Keep
reading to learn more about which jobs are in crisis - and which of
their counterparts appear to be booming.
Career in Crisis #1:Farmer, Rancher and other Agricultural Manager
Farmers were once, almost literally, the bread and butter of the U.S.
workforce. Not anymore. Sadly, the U.S. Department of Labor reports
that farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers will see their
workforce numbers decline by 19 percent - or 179,900 jobs - from 2012 to
2022.
Why it's in crisis: International markets for food and crops are contributing to the plight of U.S. farmers, according to Cook.
"Farming has become such a global industry," Cook says. "It's just
not as lucrative in the United States as it once was." Perhaps one
reason it's not as lucrative is that prices are increasing. According to
the Department of Labor, the price of seeds, chemicals, machinery, and
land may increase.
Cook also points to cultural changes having a negative effect on
farming jobs. Working on a farm - now owned by corporations instead of
Mom and Pop - simply doesn't have the appeal it once had in this
country, she says.
Booming Career #1:Registered Nurse
If you're compassionate and caring, you may want to look into
registered nursing as a career option. The U.S. Department of Labor
reports that this field will need to increase their workforce by 19
percent, or 526,800 new jobs, from 2012 to 2022. That's right: over half
a million new jobs.
Why it's booming: As the population ages, they will
have more medical problems and will need more nurses to take care of
them, says the Department of Labor.
And this is no task for medical equipment. Taking care of someone and
curing injuries is pretty hard to automate, Cook says. "If we go into a
hospital, the diagnostic capability (of equipment) is pretty limited.
Nurses are needed to interpret the results, to give them meaning. Nurses
provide the human factor and interaction between whatever the data,
injuries, or symptoms are."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
How to get started: To prepare for this career, you
have a few options. The Department reports that you can choose one of
three career paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), an associate's
degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program.
From there, you'll need to get licensed.
Career in Crisis #2:Postal Service Worker
When was the last time you went to the post office? Don't remember?
That's part of the problem for postal service workers like clerks, mail
carriers, and mail sorters.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor says workers in this field will
see their numbers dip by 28 percent from 2012 to 2022, or 139,100 jobs.
Why it's in crisis: "Unfortunately, people don't go
to the post office anymore," Cook says. "If they have to mail things,
like checks, or bill pay, they do it electronically."
The demise of snail mail is a contributing factor to the dwindling
numbers of postal service workers, Cook says. "Email is the quick fix,
immediate satisfaction, and gratification. You hit click and send, it's
gone. You don't have to worry about the right paper, envelope, or
stamp," she adds.
Another contributing factor: The Postal Service's usage of automated
sorting systems to reduce the time that mail carriers spend processing
mail, says the Department of Labor. This should allow carriers to
increase the size of their routes and reduce the need to hire more
carriers.
Booming Career #2:Software Developer
Would you like to turn futuristic ideas into present-day software and
applications? If so, consider pursuing a career as a software
developer.
Between the years 2012 and 2022, this field will hire over 200,000
new software developers - increasing their numbers by 19 percent - the
U.S. Department of Labor reports.
Why it's booming: Cook says the demand for products
using computer technology is a driving force behind the booming hiring
numbers for software developers. "Software developers conceptualize
programs that will do things that businesses need to thrive," she says.
And as the demand for new applications and software rises, so does
the need increase for software developers to improve the technology
that's used to make smartphones and other devices perform at higher
levels, according to Cook. "Software developers aren't going anywhere as
technology is increasing at a more rapid pace," she says.
How to get started: You may want to consider a
bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or related
field, as according to the Department, software developers usually have
one. A mathematics degree is also acceptable.
Career in Crisis #3:News Analyst, Reporter, Correspondent
Once a staple of people's viewing and reading habits, news analysts
and reporters are finding their careers being treated like, well,
yesterday's news. This field is projected to experience a 13 percent
drop in their numbers - losing 7,200 jobs - from 2012 to 2022, says the
U.S. Department of Labor.
Why it's in crisis: Competition from online and
social media is partly responsible for the decline in jobs for
traditional news reporters, according to Cook. "All of these
technologies (social media applications) keep us connected in homes of
people we don't know, but unfortunately that's altering people's needs
or desires to tune into the news or newspaper. In an industry where they
once reported news, now they have to report on the cute cat flipping
and answering the doorbell."
"Everyone thinks that they have the best story and can write it
better than anyone else. Technology makes it so that everyone has access
to a worldwide audience if they can promote themselves," Cook adds.
Booming Career #3:Market Research Analyst
The booming nature of employment for market research analysts can be
reflected in the U.S. Department of Labor's projections, which say their
numbers will grow by 32 percent between 2012 and 2022. So if you're
good with numbers and like analyzing data, this may be a career to
consider.
Why it's booming: Businesses increasingly rely on
complex data to gauge consumer habits, says the Department of Labor. And
in doing so, "companies are better able to market directly to their
target population."
And consumer data is fairly useless until market research analysts
can put their spin on it, says Cook. "You have a number of [software]
programs that can run data, but until you interpret the data, it's just
numbers," Cook says. "Market research analysts provide the human
interpretation part of it. You can have someone fill out a piece of
paper without anyone there, but you need humans to put the data in
layman's terms."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Program.
How to get started: To pursue this career, you'll
need a bachelor's degree, typically in market research or a related
field, according to the Department. However, many analysts have degrees
in fields such as computer science, statistics, and math - with others
having a background in fields like business administration or
communications.
Career in Crisis #4:Travel Agents
Travel agents help travelers plan trips and book flights - but so do
Expedia, Travelocity, and Kayak. So looking for a job in this field
might not make sense - especially when you consider the fact that
thousands of travel agents are projected to lose their jobs in the
coming years.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, between 2012 and 2022, employment will drop by 12 percent - or 8,900 jobs.
Why it's in crisis: Technology is replacing people,
says Cook. "If a computer can do it, there's a likelihood that the
computer is going to be an intermediary." Today, advances in technology
allow you to use your phone to purchase your ticket and scan it to board
the plane, says Cook in reference to the declining need for travel
agents.
Some good news: There should still remain some need for travel
agents. The Department of Labor reports that their expertise will
continue to be required by those who need customized travel experiences.
Booming Career #4:Elementary School Teacher
If you enjoy helping others learn new things, now may be the time to
make a career out of it. The U.S. Department of Labor says that
employment of elementary school teachers will increase by 12 percent,
creating 167,900 new jobs between 2012 and 2022.
Why it's booming: The number of students enrolling
in elementary schools is projected to increase, according to the
Department of Labor. In turn, the number of teachers will also increase.
And although online education seems to be a growing trend in higher
education, Cook says elementary school teachers in face-to-face
classroom settings will remain in high demand.
Elementary school teachers are needed because children must have
one-on-one interaction during the formative years, Cook says. "The
face-to-face connection will still be a need at that age," she says.
"It's how children learn."
"If a student has a learning difficulty, a teacher can see it and address it," she adds.
How to get started: A bachelor's degree in
elementary education is a must-have for elementary school teachers,
according to the Department. If you want to teach in public school,
you'll need to get a state-issued certification or license.
Career in Crisis #5:File Clerk
Thinking of pursuing a job as a file clerk? You may want to rethink
that plan. File clerks are discovering that handling files isn't what it
used to be. In fact, the number of file clerks will drop by 5,300
workers from 2012 through 2022, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why it's in crisis: The emergence of electronic and
online filing systems is having an adverse effect on the hiring
prospects of file clerks, according to Cook. Where people in this
position were once needed to physically handle paper documents, they now
spend most of their time gathering documents electronically, she says.
And you don't need so many people to go to archives and dusty rooms
to access data, Cook says. The information people need is at the tip of
their fingers, so a lot of the people who performed that job function
are no longer at use.
Booming Career #5:Accountant
Let's do a quick math equation. If the U.S. Department of Labor
reports that 1,275,400 accountants and auditors were employed in 2012
and it also projects that they'll experience a 13 percent employment
increase from 2012 to 2022, how many new jobs will be created in this
ten year time frame?
If your answer was 166,700, you may want to include this career in your list of jobs to pursue.
Why it's booming: Cook says the demand for
accountants is predicated by a climate of legal and financial
volatility. "...[T]he average person can't keep up with the
ever-changing tax laws and banking laws," Cook says. "As an individual
or business, you need somebody to do that for you."
Typically accountants are the people who keep track of changing laws
that could affect the financial fortunes of businesses and individuals
alike. "The laws are getting more complicated and the accountant is
there to keep you organized," Cook says. "Accountants are key to
economic success because they will find ways to maximize dollars."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
How to get started: According to the Department,
you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
Of course, some employers may prefer master's degree holders in either
accounting or business administration with a concentration in
accounting.
Instead of lying in bed watching "The Apprentice," why not use that
time prepping to pursue a real life career in the business world with an
online bachelor's degree in business administration?
If you're the type of person who enjoys translating concepts into
visual images, by hand or digitally, you may enjoy pursuing an online
bachelor's degree in graphic design, where you can learn to refine your
designing skills from the comfort of your own home.
If you're a leader and a problem solver with good organization
skills, you might be interested in pursuing a health services
administration degree from the comfort of your home.
After snuggling in bed watching your favorite late night crime show,
you could slide over to your laptop and experience the thrill of
learning about the justice system by studying for an online degree in
criminal justice.
A bachelor's in business administration could be a smart choice,
because it gives students practical skills that can be applied across
many organizations, says John Paul Engel, executive recruiter with
Knowledge Capital Consulting and author of "Project Be the Change," a
book featuring career and academic advice from successful people.
Engineering is another major that could pay off. In fact, according
to Engel, engineering skills are highly valued in today's world.
If you're not intimidated by numbers, then a bachelor's in accounting
could be the right degree for you. Plus, you could pursue a career with
a high salary. How could it pay off? An accounting major brings
specialized skills and knowledge regarding taxes to an organization,
says Engel.
With consumers becoming increasingly dependent on smartphones,
laptops, and tablets for shopping, marketing majors have more
opportunities than ever to identify consumer needs and trends. New grads
with a bachelor's in marketing are valued and compensated well for
their specialized knowledge, especially in the latest digital marketing
techniques, says Engel.
If you believe money makes the world go 'round, finance may be the
right field to study. Plus, it could help prep you for a high-flying,
not to mention high-earning, career.
According to the NACE, an impressive 68.7 percent of computer science
majors had at least one job offer by the time they graduated.
Computers aren't your thing? You could still find plenty of job
opportunities to pursue with an economics major. Economics clocked in at
number two in job offers, with 61.5 percent of surveyed students
reporting they had at least one job offer by graduation.
Engineering had the fourth highest job rate, with 59 percent of
students in engineering reporting receiving at least one offer of
employment by graduation.
A bachelor's degree in business administration rounds out the top
five majors with the highest rate of offers, with 54.3 percent of
seniors reporting at least one offer of employment by graduation.
