Whether we like it or not, it’s a fact of life that the job market is constantly changing, leaving some careers that were once thriving to now be on the decline. Often, this is because of advancements in technology, whereas other times, it’s due to shifts in consumer habits or new workplace trends. Either way, the following careers that were once quite lucrative are now fading away, fast.
Travel Agent
Because of online booking sites and apps taking over the travel industry, the need for travel agents has dropped significantly. People now plan their trips from the comfort of their homes, comparing prices and options instantly. Sure, there are some agents that still survive thanks to how they cater to niche markets or luxury travel, but most travelers no longer rely on this profession, leaving it as a shadow of its former self.
Newspaper Reporter
You’ve no doubt noticed how the rise of digital news has changed the way people consume information. As a result, traditional newspapers have seen steep declines in circulation, leading to far fewer jobs for reporters. In order to survive, most news organizations are now focusing on online content, leaving print journalism—and the reporters who specialize in it—struggling to stay relevant.
Switchboard Operator
Despite once being the backbone of communication, switchboard operators are long gone. Modern phone systems and automated technologies just don’t need them anymore, and while switchboard operators may still exist in a few niche settings, it won’t be long until they’re all gone.
Typist
Back in the day before computers became household staples, typists were essential for creating professional documents. Now, word processing software has made this skill less necessary, and therefore, businesses rarely hire typists anymore. Ultimately, most employees can handle their own typing needs, with many even starting to switch to voice-to-text tools instead.
Video Rental Clerk
It shouldn’t be surprising for you to read that video rental clerks aren’t needed anymore. With streaming services taking over, video rental stores are almost extinct, leaving this type of store to be very niche. Sadly, the days of browsing aisles for DVDs or VHS tapes are long gone, and frankly, we miss it.
Postal Sorter
Another career that is fading away fast is being a mail sorter. Only a couple of decades ago, postal sorting was a huge industry, but the rise of email and online bill payments has drastically reduced the amount of physical mail.
Obviously, packages are still booming thanks to e-commerce, but the need for postal workers to sort letters has significantly declined. Instead, those who still work in the postal industry are typically driving Amazon Prime or UPS vans.
Data Entry Clerk
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have seen how automation and artificial intelligence are starting to replace a lot of manual data entry jobs. It’s pretty incredible how software can now process and organize large volumes of information more efficiently than humans. For now, some roles still exist, but it’s clear that this career is quickly shrinking as businesses embrace automation.
Coal Miner
As the world starts to shift toward renewable energy, coal mining is steadily declining. Fewer coal plants are being built, and governments are phasing out fossil fuels to meet environmental goals. Naturally, this has led to a drop in demand for coal miners, making the career far less viable.
Bank Teller
Perhaps unsurprisingly, online banking and mobile apps have long since reduced the need for bank tellers. Understandably, many customers now choose to handle their transactions digitally, including deposits, money transfers, and other routine tasks. Most banks still employ tellers, but their numbers are certainly shrinking as branches close or automate their services.
Printing Press Operator
As we briefly touched on earlier in relation to news, the printing industry has seen a massive decline as digital content takes over. Printing press operators, once vital for newspapers, magazines, and books, are now finding fewer opportunities. At the end of the day, the demand for physical print just isn’t there anymore, leaving this career in the past.
Parking Attendant
Because of the rise of automated parking systems, the need for parking attendants is decreasing, fast. Many garages now use automated kiosks and apps for payments, eliminating the need for someone to monitor the lot.
Yes, some locations still have attendants, but the job is becoming much less common. We can’t deny that automated parking systems are more convenient, but it’s a shame to see this career disappear.
Textile Worker
Advances in automation and overseas manufacturing have drastically reduced the number of textile jobs in many countries–especially in the U.S. Machines now handle much of the work that once required skilled labor, making this a fading career for those in the industry. A lot of people still enjoy working hands-on with textiles, but typically, this is just a hobby.
Door-to-Door Salesperson
The rise of e-commerce and online advertising has made door-to-door sales nearly obsolete–surely you’ve noticed that? People now prefer to shop online rather than buy products from someone knocking at their door, and frankly, that’s understandable. Some industries still use this approach, but it’s far less common (and effective) than it once was.
Film Projectionist
You might not be aware of this, but digital projectors have replaced the need for traditional film projectionists in movie theaters. Back when projection was the industry standard, this was a serious career that required a lot of skill and precision. In contrast, digital systems allow movies to be played with the push of a button, so projectionists are no longer a fixture in the film industry.
Meter Reader
Only a decade ago or so, utility companies relied on meter readers to check water, gas, and electricity usage at homes, ensuring that people were charged for what they used. Now, though, smart meters send data directly to the companies, making this job largely unnecessary. The transition to automated systems continues to reduce demand for meter readers, and it certainly makes life easier–as long as you can trust your utility company and its smart readers.
Library Technician
Contrary to popular belief, libraries aren’t completely disappearing, but there’s no denying that they’re evolving. Most of them are shifting their focus toward digital resources and online services, and as you might expect, this has reduced the need for library technicians who handle cataloging and physical collections.
So, as libraries change, this role is becoming less central to their operations. Instead, they’re far more likely to hire remote staff that handle digital admin, which we must say has sucked out a lot of the magic from our local libraries.
Assembly Line Worker
You can still get a job in a factory today, but in general, automation in manufacturing has greatly reduced the need for assembly line workers. Robots now handle many repetitive tasks, making factories significantly more efficient, and leaving fewer jobs for humans.
Watch Repairer
Thanks to how smartphones have replaced traditional watches for most people, the demand for watch repairers has dwindled. Obviously, luxury watchmakers still need skilled repairers, as these pieces are still pretty popular. However, it means that the career has become a lot more niche as fewer people wear mechanical timepieces.
Typographers
Typographers once played a key role in designing printed materials, but digital tools have made this skill significantly less relevant. Graphic design software now allows anyone to choose fonts and layouts, reducing the need for professional typographers today.
Blacksmith
Last but certainly not least, you probably won’t be too shocked to learn that blacksmithing is on its way out. Sure, it was once a vital trade, as we needed lots of workers to create tools, horseshoes, and other essentials.
However, today, it primarily only exists as a craft or hobby, with careers in blacksmithing being very rare to find. At the end of the day, automated manufacturing methods and materials have largely replaced the need for traditional blacksmiths, so we can’t see it making a comeback.