What do a governess, an alchemist, and a phrenologist have in common? They’re positions that no longer exist due to changes in societal needs. They are jobs that are now extinct (or very close) in our modern society.
These jobs became outdated due to the constant advancement of technology, shifting societal demands, and changing industry trends. Automation and streamlining make a lot of jobs that were essential ten to fifty years ago completely obsolete.
As industries continue to evolve, so does the nature of work. Here are 14 jobs that are becoming less relevant in today’s dynamic and rapidly changing workforce owing to a variety of factors.
1. Switchboard Operator
A switchboard operator’s main job was to answer and transfer company calls to the respective departments. This once important cog in company machines might no longer be useful since manual call connecting is no longer necessary.
Most phone networks are now automated, and digital communication is becoming the preferred mode of communication.
2. Elevator Operator
We no longer need someone operating an elevator and ensuring it’s stopping at the proper doors. Buttons have successfully replaced that job. They might still be in some fancy hotels or buildings more for security purposes.
3. Milkman
Ask any Boomer if they remember when the milkman delivered milk door-to-door every morning, and you’ll have plenty of positive answers. This once crucial job is obsolete as everyone grabs milk from the convenience store refrigerator.
4. Travel Agent
Booking your flights and planning your itinerary via a travel agent was once the only way. People can now plan and book their travels without the assistance of a traditional travel agent, thanks to online platforms and apps. However, some people still prefer to let an agent deal with the headache of planning a trip.
5. Data Entry Clerk
Having human hands just for data entry was an important job. But today, the need for human data entry jobs has decreased due to automation and sophisticated software.
6. Video Store Clerk
Renting movies from a video shop was once the only way to secure weekend entertainment. In today’s world, physical video rental stores are obsolete due to streaming services (there is now only a Blockbuster “museum” in Alaska), which have ceased the demand for video store workers.
7. Telemarketer
If you hate telemarketers’ calls, you can start smiling. Marketing has metamorphosed from the traditional to digital marketing. Telemarketing positions are becoming less common as a result of targeted Internet marketing.
8. Meter Reader
There was a time when meter readers would go from home to home checking water and electricity bills. Utility companies no longer require manual meter readers thanks to automated meter-reading devices and smart technologies.
9. VHS Repairman
Every home used to own a VHS machine, and VHS repairmen were a necessary career. CDs replaced VHS tapes and later by video streaming, and VHS repairmen became obsolete.
10. Bematist
A Bematist was a person in ancient Greece who was tasked with measuring distance by their steps. With the advent of Google Maps, this career is now obsolete.
11. Film Developing Technician
With the rise of digital photography, the demand for film-developing services has significantly declined (to practically nothing). Taking photos was once a labor of love that involved waiting to develop the negatives into actual photos.
12. Cashier
Many stores are getting rid of cashiers in preference to self-checkout systems and online shopping. This has negatively impacted the demand for traditional cashier roles in certain industries and increased shoplifting.
13. Typesetters
Formatting and arranging content for readability and visual appeal was once a manual job for typesetters. In today’s world, digital publishing and advanced printing technologies have replaced the manual typesetting process in the newspaper industry.
14. Scribes
A scribe was a vital job, they’re the reason we have many of the ancient scripts today. They’d listen to speeches and manually write down everything. Voice recorders, text-to-speech apps, and word processors have made this an obsolete job.
The world is evolving, and we must be adaptable and continue to learn and unlearn in today’s ever-changing job market.
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
