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Portentous changes to the work economies of India and the USA due to job automation by machines and robots continue to make headlines. Varieties of hardware and software automation are seeing implementation burgeon in both countries, as companies seek efficiency by replacing humans with machines. Wage erosion in areas previously unaffected by automation - including varieties of programming - is getting commoner while new, albeit highly specialized, engineering jobs are created. Both articles encourage educational changes mindful of these realities, though how colleges either side of the world can adapt to the blistering pace of automation is unclear.
The latest tranche of job automation news comes hot on the heels of Davos' prediction that machine automation will result in a net loss globally of over 5 million jobs prior to 2020.
(Score: 2) by slinches on Friday February 12 2016, @10:43PM
BAMF! your job is gone. Not just where you work, but everywhere. Whatever it is you do is just not wanted anymore. You and everyone in the world whose job description sounds like yours is now unemployed. Your rent is due in 2 weeks and the cupboard is bare. Have fun!
I would do my best to anticipate such a scenario and learn a new skill before that happens. But if I was somehow instantly made obsolete by some unforeseen technological development, then I would live off savings until I can learn a new marketable skill. I have savings (as everyone should) to cover at least 6 months of my fixed outlays like mortgage, utilities and food. If necessary, that can be stretched by taking on part time work or odd jobs and potentially even selling my house or taking out a home equity loan. All together that should cover me for a few years, if needed, but I would plan to quickly research a career path where I could best make use of my existing skills and then learn whatever additional skills are necessary to become successful in that field. Worst case, I have to start from scratch and work my way through a technical college program for a couple of years. Anyway, I've planned ahead well enough to have built a safety net to cover such contingencies.
Don't you have a similar fallback plan?
(Score: 2) by sjames on Saturday February 13 2016, @12:55AM
I do, but I have enough ability to see others to realize that many cannot afford to put enough aside for 2 months, much less two years. But you should note, odd jobs at minimum wage won't even pay for your text books these days. That is, if there are any odd jobs to be had as automation expands.
So, with all your planning, you'll still be on the dole before you get your degree or certificate, or whatever you need (assuming you bend the rules enough to continue your education). And you better hope the new job doesn't BAMF before you rebuild your savings.