Post # 13

            The opening paragraphs of Chapter 17 put technology in perspective. Especially the comments regarding the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina knocking out power, effectively destroying communication for some time. This is an example of how far we’ve come and how reliable we are on technology now. I am remembering back to an exam I took in a past class and one of the essay questions dealt with this age being a “wired-age”. This chapter makes me reflect on my answer to that question. In today’s advanced technological society, it is impossible to not be tethered to another individual. We are a cohort that loves to tweet, text, Facebook, blog, post, etc just because we can. Is that to say that when the power goes out, we stop communicating? Of course not, we have batteries for that.

            But it does raise an interesting point of how we are becoming more dependable on virtual communication instead of real life interactions.  Table 17.1 gives us a good idea about what jobs are succumbing to the pressures of technology and virtual interactions. With all the advertising and marketing that plagues my computer and television, I was surprised that door-to-door sales are still in existence! It is also clear that not only will communication be online, but also we’re creating machines that will do our work for us. Machine operators are being eliminated due to the fact that computers can be programmed to operate machines (Brown, 2012). The textile industry is slowly utilizing machines to make clothing and now some car manufactures are using automated robots to weld, fasten, check, and paint automobiles.

            These factors play a major role in the career development of young individuals selecting a career, major, or higher education.  Technological advances need to be accounted for when choosing to go into the field. Individuals who are considering manufacturing as an employment opportunity need to be aware that it is declining in the United States labor force (Brown, 2012). It is the duty of the career counselor to provide this piece of information and help the client move through this. It is also important for the client to know that “U.S. workers will still be competing with workers from other countries that earn less money, accept fewer fringe benefits, and, in many instances, try to be more productive than their U.S. counterparts” (Brown, 2012, p.371). The future career counselors of tomorrow have their work cut out for them. I guess that could be considered job security.

Reference

Brown, D. (2012). Career information, career counseling, and career development (10^th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.