Where Are the Jobs?

Posted on February 24, 2010
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I recently listened to a CNN program called “Your Money” hosted by Ali Velshi. Discussions in the first part of the program dealt with the US debt, the banks bail-out when the economy was “teetering on the brink of disaster” – to use an oft-repeated phrase – and how much of a role the government can play in the creation of jobs that will get the economy back to performing at an acceptable level. As my attention drifted from the program a thought occurred to me that there are some job types are lost forever and people who did those jobs must look elsewhere (maybe in a totally different area) for employment.

As we become more technology-driven and automated as a society more “manned” jobs will be lost to automation and therefore affect the available “jobs”, which obviously has a direct effect on the unemployment rate and ultimately, the economy. Jobs such as “Telephone Operators”, “Pay Phone Meter Attendants”, “Newspaper Delivery Route men/women”, “Newspaper Print Press Operators”, among several other well-paying jobs (let’s not forget postal workers who are squeezed by online and offline competition) become less available as automation and technology become more sophisticated. It seems a natural gain/loss ratio, as unfortunate for some as it may be.

In my article ‘Retraining’ I suggest that “Some among those unemployed must retrain for a new career”, and that has certainly become a reality for many among the 9.7 percent of the US work force, but what I could not point out at the writing of that article is the specific areas in possible emerging “jobs” market a person should look for employment, simply because that is not an easy thing to do under present conditions, and I was not prepared then to make any attempt at directing individuals to where they might find well-paying jobs. Today is a little different because when I said earlier that it occurred to me that some job types are lost forever, that thought was followed by a question.

If certain job types are lost forever to more sophisticated technology and automation, where are jobs being created? One possible answer might be that jobs are being created in technology and to a lesser extent, in automation (someone to safeguard and maintain the machines), but that would be a small percentage of the jobs that were lost. Another place to look would be online opportunities; but for those job types the use of a computer is almost certainly required, however it seem to make sense that if technology took your job, find a way to get one back from technology although it may be a different kind, so if you don’t own a computer you may want to go shopping for one. A third place to look is the government.

There are those who assert that the government cannot create jobs, but if this debate is kept in proper perspective by eliminating the politics that is so often attached to a “jobs” discussion, it becomes clear that the government can create jobs and has done so repeatedly throughout the history of our nation; but that’s a conversation for another time. What is important right now is finding a job suitable enough to provide for your family’s needs, and there is one area in the government that will soon be actively hiring people to fill various positions. Although these jobs may be temporary, being hired for one could create the potential for a permanent position elsewhere; and it certainly fills the income void that presently exist in many households.

Anyone seeking an opportunity in the technology field or for an online marketing opportunity will find that as long as the proper training is obtained these jobs will provide a suitable income; so those who are not successful in getting hired by the government must therefore focus on obtaining the training and education necessary to secure meaningful employment that provides income sufficient enough to support their families and/or lifestyles. Let’s face it! Even if you were to secure employment by paying a fee to an employment agency, chances are that some training will be required, so get rehired or get retrained! There aren’t many choices. Good luck!

Hi, Tony Javeton Phillips here with my most recent article pertaining to the unemployment situation and possible options available to job seekers. This article suggests temporary positions that may be available with a governmental organization, online opportunities and the technology field. More available at Web Connections or my MINt website Take a look!