Career choices are constantly shrinking

May 13, 2015 · 0 Comments

Mark Pavilons

The newest generation of movers and shakers – our children – have an ever-changing career landscape before them.
There many “villains” that have hindered the career selection process. And it seems to be changing all the time.
As it stands, the top jobs, according to various sources, include dentist, nurse, software developers, system analyst, physician, physical therapist, engineer, teacher, plumber, lawyer and accountant.
No mention of professional athletes, entertainers, magicians, farmers, construction workers, painters or journalists.
But, believe it or not, astronauts may be the career of choice in another 30 years or so, after we’ve littered this place enough to force us to look for other digs. Once we land on Mars, a whole new frontier will be opened up for would-be explorers.
The environment for all enterprises is rapidly changing. The change is fuelled by technology, particularly digital technology and increasing computer power.
Technology not only changes how business is conducted, but it empowers people to alter the landscape. There are no real limits to what technology can do, or how it will continue to impact our lives.
How many travel agents are left? I remember a time when you’d go sit in a travel office, flip through brochures and get face-to-face assistance planning your trip. That’s no longer the case. Also gone are DVD rental chains and camera shops.
The 20th century business landscape was dominated by businesses operating full-service models. We shopped at department stores, bought cars off the lot and paid a visit to our friendly bank tellers.
Full service models are being replaced by a new service framework, with either self or automated services.
More and more, we do our banking online, buy books online and watch TV through the Internet. Even at the teller, they ask if I’ve tried online banking. If everyone switched, wouldn’t tellers become a thing of the past? I actually enjoy waltzing into a branch and meeting people. Call me old-fashioned.
Many of us expect these services to be either free or inexpensive. We’ve come to demand it, believing it’s our right, not a privilege.
This trend will undoubtedly continue.
Once thought of as toys and gadgets, our e-devices are now considered mandatory business tools. The “cloud,” along with Internet accessible devices, pads, phones and computers, have really changed the office environment.
If you think about it, a person could conduct business, even create something like a magazine, from the back seat of their car!
It’s estimated that 30% of the world’s population subscribe to broadband services. There would be more in King if it was widely available!
While it hasn’t quite been perfected on a large scale, 3D printing has the potential of transforming everything from toys and jewellery to manufactured parts, even automobile construction. This technology, when ultimately perfected, will allow us to manufacture anywhere on the planet, 24 hours a day, without human workers.
Some of the most rapidly changing industries include health care, medicine and mobile technology. Once laser eye surgery is guaranteed and universally available, will we still need optometrists?
Of the top 20 growing industries, the majority are tied to construction. Residential builders, real estate agents, contractors and lumber wholesalers are among the top. Engineering firms and heavy construction companies are also see brisk business.
Those dying on the vine include the clothing industry, textiles and yes, newspaper publishing. But I’m not worried. There’s been a proliferation of magazines over the past few years, and e-books have soared. As long as people read, they will need newspapers, in some form or another.
Those of us swimming in this ever-changing current are tossed from side to side. Our children are being advised by parents who have seen it all and are still scratching their heads trying to make sense of it. I still don’t fully understand this “cloud” they speak of or how the Internet really works. I remember getting one of the first fax machines thinking this gizmo was going to change the world! Cell phones – does anyone else remember the Motorola “brick?” I can still picture those magazine ads, with a professional type guy standing in the middle of a construction site, with this massive phone up to his ear.
Some of us came before GPS, the Internet, iPhone, Vine, Instagram and Tumblr. Heck, I was born before automobile fuel injection!
My son is constantly asking me what professions or job types offer decent compensation. My eldest wants to work for the UN or Red Cross in some capacity. My youngest is confident she’ll marry into money and can practice her pastimes of art and music without worrying about working for a living. That’s my girl!
Our ideas of practical career choices won’t be of much help to our offspring. That will only lengthen their stay with mom and dad. Time to divvy up the basement!