“There are multiple factors that will influence job growth or deceleration, but most of the major shifts in employment today are tied to lifestyle changes, technology advancement and globalization,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder and co-author of The Talent Equation. “Whether we’re talking about the rise of the sharing economy, the power of smart technology or companies communicating in multiple languages and time zones, these trends are moving the needle on job growth for a wide variety of fields.”
CareerBuilder’s labor market analysis arm Emsi collects and interprets data from more than 100 national and local employment resources. While there are numerous variables that will influence employment shifts, for the purposes of this study, CareerBuilder and Emsi looked at a short list of trends that have played some part in the growth of specific occupations. The following tables highlight trends that fit within the main categories of lifestyle changes, technology advancement and globalization and show how specific occupations have been positively impacted.
|
Lifestyle Changes |
Occupation Impacted |
Current Number of Jobs |
Number of Jobs Added 2012 to 2016 |
Percentage of Job Growth2012 to 2016
|
|
People are choosing to eat out more, giving rise to the “foodie” generation. |
Cooks, Restaurant |
1,219,433 |
164,804 |
16% |
|
More people are embracing the sharing economy. (example: Uber) |
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs |
283,175 |
37,023 |
15% |
|
America is becoming more health-conscious. |
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors |
309,519 |
33,303 |
12% |
|
Families are more careful with finances after the last recession. |
Personal Financial Advisors |
257,493 |
29,913 |
13% |
|
More people are choosing to bank and shop online. |
Information Security Analysts |
86,563 |
9,342 |
12% |
|
Couples are postponing having children until later in life. |
Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
25,219 |
1,082 |
4% |
Technology Advancement |
Occupation Impacted |
Current Number of Jobs |
Number of Jobs Added 2012 to 2016 |
Percentage of Job Growth2012 to 2016
|
|
There’s an “app” for everything and “smart” technology is moving beyond phones to clothes, homes and more. |
Software Developers, Applications |
772,195 |
112,045 |
17% |
|
Technology has made advertising become more intuitive and effective based on ability to track and interpret online behavior. |
Marketing Managers |
208,611 |
19,024 |
10% |
|
Technology has become ingrained in everyday life and is how people stay connected. |
Computer User Support Specialists |
665,646 |
63,849 |
11% |
|
Technology is catching health disorders sooner and extending lives. |
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians |
198,831 |
14,451 |
8% |
|
Technology is enabling companies to corral and interpret big data to make better business decisions. |
Database Administrators |
120,476 |
9,794 |
9% |
|
Technology is integrated into countless consumer and business products with new offerings and iterations released all the time. |
Technical Writers |
55,129 |
5,381 |
11% |
Globalization |
Occupation Impacted |
Current Number of Jobs |
Number of Jobs Added 2012 to 2016 |
Percentage of Job Growth2012 to 2016
|
|
Companies are serving customers in different time zones, meaning workers are needed at all hours. |
Customer Service Representatives |
2,674,925 |
225,910 |
9% |
|
Companies are looking to gain a greater understanding of international markets they’re targeting. |
Market Research Analysts |
532,336 |
67,551 |
15% |
|
Expanding beyond borders is requiring communication in different languages. |
Interpreters and Translators |
78,455 |
9,845 |
14% |
|
There is greater emphasis on preserving the global environment. |
Wind Turbine Service Technicians |
7,061 |
1,889 |
37% |
|
Maps for mobile phones and navigation systems are in demand as people explore new terrain. |
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists |
13,193 |
1,802 |
16% |
Students and workers looking for information on careers can get detailed insights at findyourcalling.com or by viewing career profiles under the “Browse Jobs” header on the CareerBuilder homepage.
