Our Ever-Changing Job Market

Jobs. More than just a code word for garnering political votes, the economic situation across the nation makes them difficult to find and difficult to keep. Many fields – both professional and labor-oriented – are experiencing layoffs. “Victim of a budget cut,” seems to be the most common reason for job loss these days.

So which jobs are most vulnerable during this economic downswing and technological upswing? Monster.com created a list of those jobs that are most in danger of completely disappearing based trends noted during 2011.

Postal Carriers – The U.S.P.S. had a “famously bad year” according to Monster.com. Future concerns will most likely be addressed with lay offs , closing some offices and even canceling Saturday delivery. 

Real Estate Agents – Not such a sure thing these days. Most agents will agree that the money just isn’t there in commissions like it used to be since buyers are able to purchase property at much lower prices. While the commission rates may stay the same, these percentages on a smaller purchases results in a substantial pay cut.

Video Store Clerk – This one shouldn’t be a surprise. Blockbuster has closed stores in our area. If consumers want a movie, the convenience of Red Box, on demand television, or internet ordering makes a trip to the local video store more than uncessary; it is a major inconvenience. Even as a part-time or season positions for students, this is a job that will probably not exist in the coming year or two.

Toll Collectors/Operators – Though not a big career field in the South already, Peach Passes and automation make this a job of the past.

Stock Brokers – Though some of the large firms showed marginal increases and perhaps the image of stabilization in 2011, part of that is due to employee lay-offs. Salaries for stock brokers are slowly increasing according to PayScale.com.

Newspaper Reporters – Yikes! Conventional newspapers are just not pulling in the ad revenues of years past. The internet and the advent of “immediate news” has made the printed editions “yesterday’s news.”

There ARE many new and challenging jobs that will more than replace some of these obsolete careers. O*Net, the Occupational Information Network lists quite a few occupations as “Bright Outlook Occupations.” An interesting and informed listing, the site includes a toggle for those that are “New and emerging” for jobs in a high growth industry or those with “Rapid Growth,” indicating the possibility of job sustainability.

Though some of these jobs sound exotic or may require their own special translator to configure the responsibilities and experience required, by and large, the list reflects positive progress towards growing trends and technology and the support required for these options.

Those listed as “Rapid Growth” opportunities include Accountants and Auditors as well as Agents and business managers for the ever-growing field of entertainment including actors, performers, musicians and athletes.

Occupations in the medical industry are still in high demand, but technology has changed the scope of some of the needs. Anesthesiologists and allergists are still needed and considered “Rapid Growth” opportunities.  Biomedical engineering is considered a “New and Emerging” field along with Geneticists. Based on the list, those looking for “job ready” accreditation who are now in college should look in the BIO(anything) career path.

Fraud investigation is a newly growing field as are green marketers (which really has nothing to do with the local produce stand.)

For those of us considered baby-boomers, but still working, some of the more conventional rapid growth opportunities to consider would be as tutors, counselors, therapists and maybe even private detectives.

The list is definitely worth a look. Some occupations are tailor-made for a generation not intimidated by technological advances that evolve so quickly. Some, however are just a natural step for those recognizing their skills garnered through past work experience and the application of those skills towards a new job description with perhaps just a few updates on a resume. With aggressive on-line college courses that can augment existing skills, there is a broad range of these jobs that will require maturity and experience.

Don’t be intimidated by the titles. You might just find your niche in one of these exciting markets.