Most endangered jobs: Yours at risk?

We work hard to grow professionally, burning midnight oil to climb the career ladder.

But what if your hard-earned career will almost cease to exist or sees substantial decline in demand in the next few years to come?

Thanks to the technological advancements, the latest study by CareerCast sadly reveals something on the similar lines, highlighting even those professions as endangered which we may not have even thought of. The study has rated ten professions which would be the most endangered in the next five to seven years.

For instance, despite the increasing role and importance of media – termed as the fifth pillar of a country, the job of a newspaper reporter is ranked as among the top ten most endangered professions. Not just that, the demand will decline noticeably in the future and there could possibly be layoffs also.

“Almost a decade ago, the newspaper industry began a severe decline in hiring that has yet to cease. Scott Rupp of Bradenton, Florida, experienced both sides of it. First, he was among those who kept his position amid mass layoffs at The Tampa Tribune. The work left behind by cut positions didn’t go away, so a smaller staff was forced to absorb the responsibilities,” says CareerCast in its study.

This simply can be blamed on the growth of digital media as people are increasingly accessing news on their gadgets.

The most surprising inclusion in the list is flight attendant among the top 10 most endangered jobs despite the fact that there have been numerous forecasts claiming growth in the aviation sector due to increase in air traffic, both passenger and cargo.

The American market intelligence company TMR states that the global commercial aircraft market was estimated at $189.21 billion in 2012. It is expanding at a CAGR of five per cent from 2013 to 2019 and is expected to reach $265.71 billion by 2019.

Based on CareerCast’s ‘The Most Endangered Jobs of 2015’, the most ten endangered jobs are postman, meter reader, farmer, newspaper reporter, jeweller, logging worker, flight attendant, drill press operator, insurance underwriter and seamstress/tailor.

CareerCast, however, advises that if you currently have (or are interested in) one of the careers that rank as the most endangered jobs of 2015, having a viable secondary option can be a good way to protect yourself against changes in the employment market.