As of the end of 2017, Glassdoor reported a record 6.1 million
open jobs in the U.S. The good news is that labor market is strong
and growing, yet there are major changes ahead.
Impact of workforce automation
With growth in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, many jobs
will be replaced in the next 10 years (Motley Fool, USA Today, Forbes).
From ordering kiosks to chatbots, AI will continue to be a feature in the
workplace. This has the potential to replace positions in retail
and customer service. Some of these trends are already visible in the
workplace, while others will take some time to be apparent.
Things to keep in mind as a college student
If you are still deciding about your career path, consider careers
that are not readily replaced by technology. These include many jobs in
healthcare and labor-intensive roles (Motley Fool), or sciences, human
services and other professional services. A postsecondary education
is often a pre-requisite for professional roles, along with some experience.
This is yet another reason to complete education and training beyond high
school.
On the other hand, don’t
worry if your dream career is not in one of these areas. Plan and adapt to take
projections into account: make an assessment of your skills and knowledge in
view of these workforce changes (USA Today). Do research on trends in
your field. Be prepared to learn new skills and stay up to date with current
technologies used in your chosen line of work.
Sources
~Tai Yee Ho
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