Some Doomed Industries
Elevator operators, copy boys, pinsetters (aka pingirls, pinboys), switchboard operators, typists in a typing pool – all these jobs have fallen by the wayside – made obsolete by technology! I found an interesting online article about other jobs that are doomed or at least expected to experience a decline. If you're considering a career change/opening a small business in any of these following, think twice.
Newspaper publishing: have you noticed that your daily newspaper is getting pretty skinny lately? How about those phone calls from your dailies, encouraging you to subscribe to the print version? Mobile and Internet versions are proving to be the death knell of the printed newspaper. In the past decade, newspapers have suffered a 36% decline in revenue. and in the next 5 years, another 20% drop is expected.
Apparel Manufacturing: When was the last time you found/purchased an article of clothing that WASN'T made in China? Although there is some manufacturing at the domestic level, it's slim pickin's. Labour overseas is cheap, and consumers expectation of low prices isn't helping at all. Decline in revenue in the last decade – a whopping 77%! In 5 years, another 12% drop.
Video Rental: I haven't rented a video in 15 years! I either bought or borrowed the dvd or ordered it on my tv or the Internet through free streaming sites. Decline in the last decade – 34% and another 20% in the next 5 years.
Photo Finishing: Remember when you had to take your rolls of film to be "developed?" Now you don't have to do that, thanks to digital cameras – SLRs and point 'n shoots! Decline in revenue in the last decade – are you ready – 70% and in the next 5 years, it'll be 40%.
Some books on career changes:
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