It is not surprising at the pace at which technology is fast-moving. Virtually everything on earth is affected by this technological advancement. Future job forecasts will be favorable to some people. Productivity will be increased while operational costs will be reduced, making things very easy for business owners.
This might sound like a welcome development; however, there are also some negative effects of this technological advancement. Most traditional jobs are going extinct as most jobs are done using automated machines.
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Not forgetting that businesses come and go as they survive through generations. Some of the renowned names in some businesses today may not make it to the next generation. Not that they do not have what it takes to survive through the ages, but if they outlive their usage, they may go extinct. However, if they can adjust to technological changes, they will be able to make it through.
It was reported by the Foundation for Young Australians in 2015 that almost 60% of young people in Australia were studying for jobs and that 2/3 of them were going to be replaced by machines in the next decade. Within the next decade, some people who refuse to grab the required skills to withstand the dynamic nature of technology may be left with no job to do.
Of course, some of these jobs may not go extinct, but their roles may diminish. They would no longer be the hotcakes of the day; rather, they would exist for just a few people. There are still horse drivers today, aren’t there? But how many times has horseback riding occurred to you once you think of traveling?
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But which jobs are likely to go extinct by 2030?
1. Travel Agency
Some time ago, traveling to Miami for a summer holiday would require walking into a travel agency on a hot afternoon with a sales rep smiling cheerily at you because something would be leaving your pocket and entering his drawer.
Now, with an internet-enabled phone, you can browse through the website of any travel agency and arrange your holiday. All that is required is your card details and, probably, a few hours of surfing the net to get the most suitable flight.
Realizing that online is the real sauce, many travel agencies are closing down their physical offices to focus on online clients. Airbnb already caters to its clients through a live representative.
2. Bank teller
No, banks are not closing down their businesses because there is a need for one to consult financial advisors or investment experts. However, there may not be a need for their numerous branches scattered all over. Almost every business is going cashless. All you need is to order any goods online, pay with your card, and have everything delivered to your doorstep. You may not need to walk into the banking premises to withdraw bulk money because the user-friendly and convenient nature of online banking has taken care of that.
Assuming you’ve got any issues with your account, all you need is to go online, send an email, and receive your reply in a jiffy. Or, you can call customer care services, lodge your complaints, and have the issue resolved within minutes.
3. Textile worker
In the past, if you walked into the textile mill, you would be faced with a beehive of activities going on with different employees performing their duties.
Nowadays, the number of employees in a textile mill is dwindling, with most of their jobs being machine-friendly. Fewer people are required to carry out some jobs. As time progresses, more machines and fewer people will be required to perform these jobs.
4. Fast food cook
According to a 2013 study, 81% of fast-food workers would be replaced with automation in the future. Cooks in fast food could be made redundant with the rise in technologies that would speed up processes. This, no doubt, will reduce operational costs. This is no good news for chefs. But then, which employer would not want to adopt the new technologies to save costs?
5. Utility company engineers
The power industry is already undergoing a great transformation in health and environmental issues. The jobs of utility engineers are likely to be dimmed as some manufacturing plants would be replaced by more advanced technologies. However, new jobs would be created, and a new breed of engineers would emerge to take over the new jobs.
6. Delivery and taxi drivers
Drones and driverless cars are sure to be the latest technologies by 2030. They are already at work now, though in a minimal amount. Amazon is already testing the efficacy, as the nature of their job requires the latest technologies to handle some logistics. Taxi drivers would lose their jobs to driverless cars. Dispatch riders, traffic monitoring systems, and the like are going to be replaced by drones. These technologies are better options, no doubt about it.
7. Classroom teachers
Online learning is gradually being adopted by people today. This is revolutionizing teaching models. Some higher institutions already have online programs to encourage distance learning. There are also online learning platforms like Udemy, Alison, Coursera, and so on that offer both free and paid programs to students all over the world. There may be little need for brick-and-mortar class teachers as more and more coaches, course designers, and learning outlets are springing up online to make learning very easy and offer you the best services.
8. Bookkeepers and accountants
It has been predicted that by 2028, bookkeepers and accountants will go extinct. There have been numerous software manufactured to take care of the jobs performed by these sets of people. QuickBooks can analyze data and produce reports, which are the major jobs of these professionals.
9. Farmers
I know that does not sound surprising, does it? We’ve seen how farming has diminished from being the major occupation of some people to becoming jobs people rarely consider. The worst of it is that indoor farming and lab-grown meats are already gaining momentum. Don’t be surprised that farming will soon be seen as a scientific occupation.
On a more serious note, not all farmers will go extinct in 2030, but as it is obvious, farming is going to take a better shape, leaving few people working tirelessly under the hot sun with their hats as shields.
10. Printers and publishers
The other day I needed to travel with some books but felt no need for them. You don’t blame me; e-books have made it easier for one to have access to any kind of book without having to bother about space. You can have as many books as possible in your online gallery and can pick up anyone you feel like reading at any point, irrespective of location.
That aside, the digital realm brought about by technology has led to a decline in the readership of newspapers. Everyone with an internet-enabled phone has access to any kind of information online.
Those trained in the olden ways of producing books may not be able to continue with their jobs in the next ten years.
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Reasons Why Your Job Might Go Extinct by 2030
There are several reasons one might lose his job in the next decade. One of them is not as a result of carelessness, because no matter how careful you are, you may not be able to keep a job whose relevance has become obsolete. The following are some of the reasons.
1. Organizational structure
Because some jobs may require fewer people to manage, it also means that the organizational structure will change to accommodate the required number of people. Company sizes will drop with a reduction in the workforce.
2. Almost everything can be done online.
With collaboration and connectivity, you can meet anyone online to do your job for you. Distance is no longer a barrier, nor do you need a shared office space before you can operate your business. With the click of a button, online transactions can be carried out anywhere you are. So, you can be in Nigeria and get someone in Germany to do your job at no extra cost.
3. There are more startups and entrepreneurs.
With the rise in technology, many businesses have formed, while some people have become business owners. Most of these businesses are being run from homes and do not require any shared office space. What this means is people can run their businesses safely without having to incur so much debt. They are even likely to hire a freelancer to do some jobs for them, rendering traditional job markets obsolete.
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Skills that Would Keep You Relevant
As jobs are changing, skills are also changing to accommodate the new jobs that are fast manifesting. The truth is that by 2030, you are likely to be working in a job that is yet to exist. You will need to develop the necessary skills that will help you remain relevant by then.
Yes, we know that no crystal ball would tell us just the right skills that are to be needed by then. But with the rise in digital technologies, we were able to come up with the following skills:
1. Cognitive flexibility
You are going to be able to handle the opportunities and challenges that come with technological changes. You will need flexible skills that will help you to adapt to changes and handle complex tasks without breaking down. Multi-tasking is going to abound, which is why you need skills that are relevant to it.
2. Judgement and decision-making
Of course, robots are likely to be better than human beings in handling some tasks like calculations and diagnostic solving. But then, it will require human beings to give commands to these robots and also deal with the subjective side of the jobs.
3. Emotional intelligence
Most recruiters focus more on the emotional quotient (EQ) of their potential employees than their intelligence quotient (IQ). What this means is that artificial intelligence cannot replace emotional intelligence. You are going to work closely with others, and emotional intelligence skills like empathy, collaboration, excellent communication, and so on will be in great demand.
4. Creative skills
You will need creativity to be able to understand some technologies. New products are emerging with different ways of producing things. Your creativity will help you to offer distinct products and services that will compete globally. There are going to be new ways of thinking and producing results. Without creative skills, you may do little or nothing in the workplace.
5. Analytical thinking
Critical thinking skills will help you to quickly analyze a situation and make appropriate decisions without undergoing the rigorous process of setting up a panel and assigning tasks to different individuals. Not that they are not required, but some situations would call for immediate attention and response. Here, your emotions do not need to come into play. Logical reasoning will help you to think critically with an open mind and make an unbiased judgment.
6. Leadership skills
Leadership is beyond being in charge of an organization. You need to understand each person you are working with, his strengths and weaknesses, and the right duty to assign to him. You should also be an inspiration to others and help them to become better versions of themselves. Projects that require teamwork need strong leaders who can handle both the people and the task intelligently.
By 2030, a lot of jobs will go extinct while many are going to be born. Are you ready for the changes ahead?
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