Advances in technology coupled with heightened consumer expectations have caused Americans to become a society insistent on instant gratification. Experts contend that type of behavior has created a domino effect, which is slowly but consistently eliminating those jobs that can’t provide instant results.
Here’s the list according to a Forbes study:
1) MANUFACTURING – Production is moving overseas and more and more robots are doing the jobs of humans.
2) Textile Workers – Sewing machine operators are becoming obsolete.
3) Photo Processing Industry – Digital cameras are said to be the reason for the decline in photo processing.
4) Electric Meter Readers – Instead of replacing retiring workers, utility companies are contracting work out.
5) Print Journalists – Internet news is winning the war against print.
6) Travel Agents – While large groups and luxury types still use agents, the rest of us — who are trying to stretch every dollar — go straight to one of the discount travel sites like Hotwire, Priceline, Travelocity, and a host of others.
7) Insurance Agents – The decrease in the number of agents is largely due to rising costs, technology, direct marketing, bankers selling insurance and the Internet.”
8) Computer Programmers – This field will continue to grow, but as more and more companies utilize overseas outsourcing, jobs here in the U.S. are expected to decline.
9) Radio Announcers – Partly due to station consolidation, XM and Sirius radio and let’s not forget about the iPod listeners.
10) Federal Workers – According to Forbes, after Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government expanded its employment ranks to more than 2 million workers. After eight years and a $787 billion stimulus boost, the federal employment roll stands at just under 2 million workers. –cp
