Close your eyes and imagine a world where your workplace is transformed. By 2030, approximately 92 million jobs, making up about 8% of total employment, are projected to vanish, according to the World Economic Forum in their 2025 Future of Jobs Report.
The Reality of Job Loss
The McKinsey Global Institute also warns that the impact of AI and automation could displace up to 12 million workers in the U.S. and Europe in the near future. While this might seem daunting, it's essential to recognize that these job losses are often accompanied by the creation of new roles that we have yet to imagine.
By 2030, the WEF anticipates the emergence of 170 million new jobs, equating to about 14% of today’s employment. This growth is driven by shifts in the economy, market demands, a focus on clean energy, and advancements in AI and technology—all leading to the need for new skill sets.
Job Titles Disappearing by 2030
According to McKinsey's studies, jobs that are repetitive and predictable are at the highest risk of elimination. Here are 21 job titles expected to become obsolete:
- Postal service clerks
- Bank tellers and related clerks
- Data entry clerks
- Retail cashiers and ticket clerks
- Administrative assistants and executive secretaries
- Printing and related trades workers
- Accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll clerks
- Material-recording and stock-keeping clerks
- Transportation attendants and conductors
- Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers
- Graphic designers
- Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
- Legal officials
- Legal secretaries
- Telemarketers
- Basic IT support roles
- Assembly line workers
- Machine operators
- Picking and handling warehouse workers
- Insurance underwriters
- Travel agents
Future-Proofing Your Career
If your current job falls within these categories, consider these strategies to future-proof your career:
1. Upskill Where The Demand Is
Stay informed about emerging skills through job reports and focus on high-growth skills for 2025, such as AI literacy, data analysis, digital marketing, and critical thinking.
2. Highlight Transferable Skill Stacks
Emphasize your transferable skills that apply across various roles. Frame your experiences around outcomes like process improvement and workflow optimization to appeal to hiring managers.
3. Build Optionality
Avoid relying solely on one job for financial security. Explore multiple income streams, such as side hustles or freelance work, to enhance your career resilience.
These 21 job titles may face extinction, but your relevance in the job market doesn't have to. What steps will you take today to ensure your future success?
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