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Do you think Ms Bristow is right to employ Mr Balla as her PA? Why? Why not? Write your opinion.
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JOB MOBILITY
Job mobility is simply moving from one job to another. Americans change jobs more often than people in most other countries. A typical American's first job might be as a fast-food worker, dishwasher, or typist. But that job is likely to be temporary. In the meantime, the person will be gaining practical experience, making professional contacts, building a reputation, studying on the side, and seeking other opportunities. Thus, the waitress in a diner may also be a law school student, and a future judge or senator.
Even people who are well established in their careers continue to look for jobs that provide better pay, more responsibility, and more prestige.
Read about new business and job creation in the USA. Working with your partner, consider the questions below.
New Business and Job Creation
One of five Americans leaves his or her job each year. One in ten Americans changes occupations each year, and many will have four to five careers in a lifetime. While most jobs switching probably occurs early in one's career, we live in a rapidly changing world where new jobs and careers are being created every day. The personal questions involved in finding and keeping a job are likely to be a regular part of life.
What Jobs Are Available? The creation of new businesses and new jobs can mean new opportunities for you. National statistics indicate the service sector is providing the lion's share of new jobs. Opportunities are available in medical care, retailing, and business services such as law, consulting and accounting. The Bureau of Labour Statistics estimates that the fastest growing jobs will be in the areas of high-skill service occupations such as engineering, medical technology, computer programming and systems analysis. The table that follows provides some information about the fastest growing and the fastest declining jobs in America.
Fastest Growing and Declining Jobs
Percent Change
Fastest Growing Jobs 1988-2000
Medical assistants 70
Home health aides 68
Radiologic technologists and technicians 66
Medical secretaries 58
Securities and financial services salesworkers 55
Travel agents 54
Systems analysts 55
Computer programmers 48
Human services workers 45
Correction officers/jailers 41
Electrical and electronics engineers 40
Receptionists and information clerks 40
Fastest Declining Jobs Electrical and electronic assemblers 44
Farmers 23
Stenographers 23
Telephone and cable TV installers and repairers 21
Sewing machine operators 14
Crushing and mixing machine operators “. 14
Textile draw-out and winding machining operators 13
Machine feeders 13
Hand packers 12
Packaging and filling machine operators 11
Source: Statistical Abstract, 1991
Answer the questions:
1. What are the fastest growing jobs in the USA?
2. What are the fastest declining jobs in the USA?
3. What types of jobs are growing in importance in your country?
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4. What jobs are fading in importance?
5. What is the proportion of women in the labour force?
6. Do female workers earn less than male workers?
7. How might the list of growing and declining occupations affect your career goal?
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Meet five women who have changed careers
Amanda, 39
I have been working in sales for twelve years when I suffered an ankle injury that was to change my whole life. Someone suggested alternative medicine and I was so impressed by the treatment that I began evening classes out of interest. I had reached a point in my life where things had to change. In many ways I had it all: a company car, foreign business trips, my own house, job security. But at 33, I felt increasingly discontented. So I persuaded my boss to let me work a four-day week and did homeopathy classes on the remaining day. It took four difficult years to qualify, as I was studying 25 hours a week on top of my job. Although my income has reduced by a third, my overheads are lower too. As for the BMW, I don’t miss it at all!
Linda, 34
I’d always wanted to have my own business, something had held me back. I did various jobs in marketing, including four years in the cosmetics industry. When I was made redundant last year, I knew the time was right. I’d had my own colours done and I’d found it fascinating, so I used my redundancy money to buy a “House of Colour” franchise. My work is very sociable and the best thing of all is that I answer to no one but myself. Everything is based here in the house, so I have to be incredibly organized and self-motivated. I’m nothing like as tense as before, despite giving it my all. The only downside is the money, although in all seriousness I reckon the takings will have overtaken my previous salary by next year. I hope so, anyway!
Sue, 34
I’d never seen myself as academic. Hairdressing seemed glamorous and I wanted a car, so I went to work in a salon as an apprentice. It paid very little, but I had fun. Then my husband announced that he was moving to London. That was the catalyst I’d been waiting for. I stayed put and took English and Law at night school. I was spending 45 hours a week in the salon and working for exams as well. I lost ten kilos in weight, but for all the stress of studying, I knew I was doing the right thing. After leaving college I went into market research. My confidence has always been low and it was three years before I felt I’d cracked the job. My present earnings would have been unimaginable back in the salon.
Petra, 45
I worked for three cabinet ministers, earning $90, 000 a year, but at the cost of having to work a 65-hour week. When I turned 35, it hit me: I’ve worked here for nearly 15 years and I’ve probably got 25 to go. If I’d added up the hours they would probably have been equivalent to 40 normal working years! I decided to save as much as possible, and then get out. It sounds very calculating, but it had to be. Choosing to take redundancy has given me new opportunities. I’ve set up the spare room as an office and I’m currently editing a collection of family letters, which is something I’d always wanted to do. People who need certainly and structure would find my new life very difficult, but all in all, I feel I’ve made the right decision.
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Helen, 53
My family had been in the leather business since 1906 and the company eventually passed to me. I loved the work, but the business was a huge responsibility and I worried constantly. When small shops failed, our own revenue dropped. By 1994 it was hopeless and went into voluntary liquidation. My friends said I would be unemployable, not just because of my age but because I’d run my own business. However, I’ve been working as a registrar (a person who keeps official records of births, marriages and deaths) for the past three years. The original advert sought a mature, understanding person to deal with people from all walks of life, which was tailor-made for me! Although I miss my business, I’ve experienced two different careers, and it’s marvelous to have another job which needs genuine commitment.
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