Going, Going, Gone…
10 Jobs That Are Disappearing
Veronica Harley, AOL Find a Job
While it’s obvious that the evolution of technology and the economy over the past ten years has made us increasingly reliant on computers and the internet, it can be startling to realize this shift has resulted in a number of jobs becoming closer to obsolete.
While the outsourcing of offshore personnel has resulted in the perception of decline in some fields, machines are replacing humans in many other industries. This means it’s likely we’ll see a sharp decrease in demand in the near future for some of the occupations that seem so essential today.
Here are 10 jobs that are shrinking fast:
1. Cashiers
Retail stores currently rely on cashiers to ring up sales, but that dynamic is undergoing rapid change. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) predicts that the need for cashiers will grow slowly through 2014.
Where we’re headed – Wondering who’s going to ring you up? Look in the mirror. If you’ve gone to a grocery store lately, you’ve probably seen a self-check out lane. More and more stores are adopting this cost-effective system.
2. Couriers and Messengers
You can generally find them bicycling in and out of traffic in big cities like San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC. They distribute and deliver documents, packages and messages - usually between businesses.
Where we’re headed – There are faster ways to send messages these days…e-mail and fax. In addition, some legal and financial documents are now signed online and sent electronically.
3. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers
They sample our food before it arrives in our grocery stores or test out the latest video game - anything to ensure the quality and safety of the products we buy.
Where we’re headed – Don’t worry, the products we buy will still be tested, only less frequently by humans. According to the OOH, companies are increasingly using automated inspection equipment.
4. Customer Service Representative
They are usually available 24/7 to answer customer inquiries over the telephone or instant messaging software. Chances are pretty high that you’ve called a customer service number and gotten an automated response instead of a human or you were directed to a web site FAQ page.
Where we’re headed – It’s cheaper for companies to use an automated voicemail system or to point customers to a web site so they can help themselves.
5. Book Binder
Book binding is an industry that’s been around since the first century A.D. Today, a book binder maintains the machines that cut, fold and sew books together. According to OOH, employment in this field is expected to decline through 2014 as a result of a slower demand for printed material and increasing reliance on digital publications.
Where we’re headed – A combination of inexpensive overseas labor and new computer-operated equipment makes it easier to assemble books.
6. Film Processors
You can typically find them in your local grocery or retail store operating the machines that develop film, make prints, retouch and enlarge photos.
Where we’re headed – Today, many people have digital cameras or camera phones that use electronic memory to store images. If you have a computer and printer, you can download, retouch and print-out your own photos.
7. Fishers and Fishing Vessel Operators
They spend long days miles away from the shore catching fish and other marine life. Unpredictable weather can make industrial fishing one of the most dangerous jobs around.
Where we’re headed – Fishing companies bank on the belief that Mother Nature will replenish the fish stock. The OOH says that many fishing operations are above their maximum capacity primarily because marine habitats are being destroyed especially in North American and the Pacific Northwest. This is having an adverse effect on the retention of fishermen.
8. Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers
A service technician is usually the first person you call when you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your camera, television, radio or any other electronic entertainment device.
Where we’re headed – Technological advancements have made these products cheaper and more reliable. If something does break or malfunction, some consumers find that it’s cheaper and less hassle to replace it rather than have it repaired.
9. Procurement Clerks
A typical procurement clerk is in constant contact with suppliers, generates requests for materials and handles orders.
Where we’re headed – One word…automation. Some retailers have cash registers equipped with computers that keep track of inventory and when a product is low, they send out another order.
10. Power Plant Operators
When you’re able to flip a light switch and the light comes on, it’s because of a power plant operator. They make sure that the country is illuminated and that their work crew is safe when they work with dangerous electric equipment.
Where we’re headed – The country will not go dark and of course the demand for electricity will remain. However, some companies are using automatic controls and computerized equipment.
No need to fear if you have one of these jobs, or you require some -- if not all -- of these services. As technology advances, the need for new occupations will grow. Furthermore, people will always read books, eat fish and require customer service help. And there will always be a part of the population that doesn’t conform to the latest technology. There will forever be people who will want to use an actual cashier or get film developed at a store. The world is changing fast, but people will always keep their feet on the brake.
While the outsourcing of offshore personnel has resulted in the perception of decline in some fields, machines are replacing humans in many other industries. This means it’s likely we’ll see a sharp decrease in demand in the near future for some of the occupations that seem so essential today.
Here are 10 jobs that are shrinking fast:
1. Cashiers
Retail stores currently rely on cashiers to ring up sales, but that dynamic is undergoing rapid change. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) predicts that the need for cashiers will grow slowly through 2014.
Where we’re headed – Wondering who’s going to ring you up? Look in the mirror. If you’ve gone to a grocery store lately, you’ve probably seen a self-check out lane. More and more stores are adopting this cost-effective system.
2. Couriers and Messengers
You can generally find them bicycling in and out of traffic in big cities like San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC. They distribute and deliver documents, packages and messages - usually between businesses.
Where we’re headed – There are faster ways to send messages these days…e-mail and fax. In addition, some legal and financial documents are now signed online and sent electronically.
3. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers
They sample our food before it arrives in our grocery stores or test out the latest video game - anything to ensure the quality and safety of the products we buy.
Where we’re headed – Don’t worry, the products we buy will still be tested, only less frequently by humans. According to the OOH, companies are increasingly using automated inspection equipment.
4. Customer Service Representative
They are usually available 24/7 to answer customer inquiries over the telephone or instant messaging software. Chances are pretty high that you’ve called a customer service number and gotten an automated response instead of a human or you were directed to a web site FAQ page.
Where we’re headed – It’s cheaper for companies to use an automated voicemail system or to point customers to a web site so they can help themselves.
5. Book Binder
Book binding is an industry that’s been around since the first century A.D. Today, a book binder maintains the machines that cut, fold and sew books together. According to OOH, employment in this field is expected to decline through 2014 as a result of a slower demand for printed material and increasing reliance on digital publications.
Where we’re headed – A combination of inexpensive overseas labor and new computer-operated equipment makes it easier to assemble books.
6. Film Processors
You can typically find them in your local grocery or retail store operating the machines that develop film, make prints, retouch and enlarge photos.
Where we’re headed – Today, many people have digital cameras or camera phones that use electronic memory to store images. If you have a computer and printer, you can download, retouch and print-out your own photos.
7. Fishers and Fishing Vessel Operators
They spend long days miles away from the shore catching fish and other marine life. Unpredictable weather can make industrial fishing one of the most dangerous jobs around.
Where we’re headed – Fishing companies bank on the belief that Mother Nature will replenish the fish stock. The OOH says that many fishing operations are above their maximum capacity primarily because marine habitats are being destroyed especially in North American and the Pacific Northwest. This is having an adverse effect on the retention of fishermen.
8. Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers
A service technician is usually the first person you call when you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your camera, television, radio or any other electronic entertainment device.
Where we’re headed – Technological advancements have made these products cheaper and more reliable. If something does break or malfunction, some consumers find that it’s cheaper and less hassle to replace it rather than have it repaired.
9. Procurement Clerks
A typical procurement clerk is in constant contact with suppliers, generates requests for materials and handles orders.
Where we’re headed – One word…automation. Some retailers have cash registers equipped with computers that keep track of inventory and when a product is low, they send out another order.
10. Power Plant Operators
When you’re able to flip a light switch and the light comes on, it’s because of a power plant operator. They make sure that the country is illuminated and that their work crew is safe when they work with dangerous electric equipment.
Where we’re headed – The country will not go dark and of course the demand for electricity will remain. However, some companies are using automatic controls and computerized equipment.
No need to fear if you have one of these jobs, or you require some -- if not all -- of these services. As technology advances, the need for new occupations will grow. Furthermore, people will always read books, eat fish and require customer service help. And there will always be a part of the population that doesn’t conform to the latest technology. There will forever be people who will want to use an actual cashier or get film developed at a store. The world is changing fast, but people will always keep their feet on the brake.
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