"How safe is your job into the future?" Article by Tina Zawila

Recently, we came across a paper titled “The Future of Employment: How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation?” by Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael A Osborne (with credit to the Oxford University) dated 17 September 2013.  The paper is 72 pages long and utilises mathematical processes and equations to substantiate the argument.  The crux of the paper is to estimate the probability of computerisation for 702 detailed occupations in the next 20 years.

So what does it say?

If you are in the following occupations, you are less likely to “lose your job” because you can’t be replaced by a computer:

·         Recreational & Occupational Therapists, Mental Health, general Healthcare and Social Workers, in fact any physician, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, should feel pretty secure that their chosen career path will still be needed into the foreseeable future.

·         Surprisingly, we will still need Athletic Trainers (a computer yelling at you to perform just won’t get the same results apparently), and Make-up Artists, Theatrical and Performance workers are less likely to be replaced by computer technology.

However, which occupations should be looking for a career change before it’s too late?

·         Bank Tellers, Legal Secretaries, Bookkeeping, Accounting and Payroll Clerks, Real Estate Brokers and Telephone Operators are all likely to be obsolete within the next 20 years.

·         Interestingly Umpires, Referees and Other Sports Officials are also at the top of the list of being replaced!

So what does this mean?

All of us need to continue to stay relevant and valuable in our chosen occupation; we need to recognise where technology is taking us and how it may impact on our careers.  We then need to adapt, change and embrace technology to utilise it to our advantage rather than have it replace us.  More than ever before we need to be flexible, and continue to learn, grow and improve ourselves.

Contact the professional team at Sothertons on 07 4972 1300 to find out what is happening to your occupation or in your industry and how you can stay ahead of the game.