“AI is poised to revolutionize every sector and occupation,” said Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn. A recent study by Pew Research reveals that a majority of working Americans are apprehensive about Hoffman’s assertion, with 33 percent feeling “overwhelmed” by AI’s influence on their future job opportunities.
Jasmine Escalera, PhD, a career coach for recruitment firms such as Zety and Bold, acknowledges the substantial shifts brought by AI but encourages college students and job seekers to strategize rather than succumb to fear.
Escalera points out that AI is already impacting various professions, resulting in job cuts and rendering previously secure positions redundant. She worked with Zety to compile a list of 14 AI-resistant careers that pay over $50K and necessitate empathy, a trait that chatbots lack. We discussed with Escalera the significance of empathy-driven roles in the AI workforce, the current relevance of college degrees, and the challenges faced by gig jobs like Uber and DoorDash.
Microsoft has recently published a list of roles with low AI applicability scores, suggesting they are less susceptible to AI’s reach. Many of these roles do not require college degrees — should this alarm college students?
We recently ran a survey for Zety, and we’re witnessing a prominent trend among Gen Z. I’m intrigued by Gen Z as they are redefining career patterns. They are scrutinizing corporate America, highlighting the disbanding of DEI initiatives, the move back to in-office work, and the absence of work/life balance and flexibility. AI is reshaping the workplace, and its complete consequences remain unclear. Nevertheless, we recognize that highly automated, repetitive jobs, typically at the entry-level, could experience diminished prospects.
The fierce job market and widespread layoffs are leading individuals to explore alternative options, including trade professions that seem more resilient to AI and provide greater flexibility than conventional career routes. There may be a noticeable transition from corporate white-collar positions to trades where AI cannot easily supplant labor, such as plumbing.
Zety’s catalog of AI-proof careers includes medical roles like physician assistants and nurses, but not necessarily doctors. Could doctors be substituted for or downsized by AI?
AI is already being incorporated into the healthcare sector for guidance and diagnostics, assisting doctors, nurses, and practitioners in improved diagnosing and prescribing medications. AI’s function will evolve, enhancing the healthcare industry. The medical domain, particularly on the physician level, demands extensive specialization and human interaction, making it improbable to be completely supplanted by AI.
During a doctor’s visit, you usually meet with a nurse or technician first, followed by a brief interaction with the doctor. Roles that require high levels of empathy, compassion, and personal engagement, such as nursing and technician positions, actually entail more interaction than a standard doctor’s role.
Share more about jobs that involve empathy and why they might be more resilient against AI.
Empathy encompasses compassion and sympathy, representing a key aspect of relatability. While ChatGPT can offer support, it lacks genuine human interaction and the capability to provide sincere advice or compassion. Empathy will be vital in various roles because AI cannot imitate it. Organizations and employees should prioritize nurturing empathy and complementary skills that AI cannot replace, such as critical and strategic thinking.
Empathy also pertains to forging relationships. While chatbots are taking over numerous customer service roles, sales positions that emphasize relationship-building continue to thrive as they reach beyond the scope of automated inquiry responses. If you’re in customer service and notice aspects of your job vanishing, think about transitioning to roles centered around relationship-building utilizing your existing skills. Adjustments will be necessary.
Marriage and family counselors are featured on Zety’s list of AI-proof occupations. Is that because they engage with more than one individual?
While I utilize ChatGPT for inspiration and guidance, relationships involving marriage, family, and group counseling necessitate a