The Case of the Disappearing Jobs
By Allan Smith, Certified Career Management Practitioner
As we begin a new decade, the outlook on the job market is gradual improvement. Jobs are being created, but where are they, and at what pace? The good news is that over the next few years we may recover the majority of the more than 7 million jobs lost; the bad news is that there is a growing bifurcation in US employment. Most of the jobs to be created will be either in high paying, high education-required careers or in low paying jobs.
There is overall good news in health care. As the industry grows and the population ages, there will be an increasing demand for nurses, therapists, medication technicians, nurse’s aides, personal care workers, and home health aides. In states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri, where the American auto industry has been decimated, workers accustomed to earning $40-$70 per hour will not likely see those numbers again, unless they go back to college to pursue a new career. It may seem an unlikely jump from auto manufacturing to health care, but nurses earn typically $20-$30 per hour and therapists even more— a solid middle class living. Even though there is a shortage of these job incumbents nationally, there are often waiting lists to get into the schools, and physical therapy programs now are trending toward the doctorate requirement. Occupational and physical therapy assistants earn as much basic nurses, and, if one can find an opening in a program, is actually a good match for people who are used to doing physical work and have good coordination and a well-developed safety sense. It really isn’t such a stretch.
Then there are the thousands of executives, directors and managers, and marketing and sales professionals who will be needed to coordinate and promote institutions and companies for which these employees work. Additionally, office positions such as H.R. and payroll specialists, billers and coders, and office managers will steadily increase. Directors, office managers and marketing reps for successful operations already earn $50-80,000 in base salary. Employees who earn commissions can double that salary. I personally know of several marketing reps in home health and hospice who have been earning six figures for years.
Much of the growth however, will be in the lower paying positions in health careers. Individuals for whom higher education is not the right choice have many private educational opportunities to learn new careers, for many of which will be plenty of growth and stability. For example, jobs with health care facilities and especially in home health and senior care will see major growth.
Senior caregiver jobs are not only for the 18-30 crowd. Many older displaced workers may find that working as a caregiver can be a rewarding occupation that meets both one’s own social needs and the needs of those in the community. It will never lead to a wealthy retirement, but can serve to pay those pesky bills that accompany owning a car and home, as well as buying gifts for grandchildren.
Top 10 List
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks employment and makes predictions. According to Dixie Sommers, Assistant Commissioner for the BLS, the list may look like this:
1. Registered nurses
2. Home health aides
3. Customer service representatives
4. Food preparation and serving workers
5. Personal and home care aides
6. Retail salespersons
7. Office clerks
8. Accountants
9. Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants
10. Postsecondary teachers
