Chapter 1: A New and Changing Economy

Nathan Scarbrough

Chapter 1

A New and Changing Economy

                As I read this chapter I found it hard not to wonder what the future holds, both for my own career, and for our nation’s economy. Upon thinking that, I realized that our nation’s economy is intertwined with other countries’ economies. Other countries’ economies are affected greatly by technology, trade, treaties, government style, etc.   In this global economy that has emerged primarily thanks to technology and free-trade, the future becomes even more unpredictable than it once was.  It is for that reason that there is perhaps an even greater need for expansion in the field of Career Development than there was during even the Great Depression.

                Assisting others in finding and maintaining employment is certainly not a new idea.  Our book discusses groups and movements from over a hundred years ago, established to help others in their chosen professions.  What were once Town Vocophers are now Career Counselors, however, the basic concept remains the same.  People need guidance, direction, education, and motivation to succeed in their chosen career paths, and there will always be people to help (I hope, that might be a large assumption on my end).

                While the individual has a lot of work to do to prepare for and maintain a successful career, it is also important to look outwards at the economy when considering one’s professional future.  It’s a matter of internal vs. external factors.  It is beneficial to work hard and do everything one can to prepare for a job, however it is absolutely critical to be knowledgeable of the flattened global economy today and changing global trends when considering one’s professional future.  Remember, in this day and age, having a job, even having two jobs, doesn’t guarantee one’s ability to rise above the poverty line.  With more and more jobs being outsourced and sent offshore, and computers taking over jobs that people once held (ex. ATM’s instead of bank tellers), it would seem that the job market is getting narrower and narrower.

                Furthermore, as the job market shifts and warps, it doesn’t seem to be getting much fairer.  From a micro-scale to a macro-scale, there are great inequities inherent in the system.  Females and minorities still make less to perform the same work duties.  Additionally, resources such as education and health-care are not as readily available to each individual.  On the larger scale, wealthier countries have been taking advantage of more impoverish countries in this twisted global economy, using their desperation for their own profit (ex. cheap labor, poor hours).  A handful of people get rich, while the rest are exploited.  No matter which way you look at it, the author of our book was clearly onto something when he said a new model of Career Development must be created which takes into account the inequity that is riddled throughout the national and global economy.