Education can often be a tricky affair. As much as we like to tell our kids that they can do anything they want when they grow up, there are realities that we need to get accustomed to. We are living in an ever-changing world and with new jobs being created all the time, there are also some running the risk of disappearing into oblivion.

In a few weeks, hundreds of students around the country will get ready to head to university, whether it is at home or abroad. As a matter of fact, some have already started their studies as early as last February. They will be full of dreams and aspirations as they seek to do the best they can while getting a university degree. Truth is, we live in a world where drastic changes every now and again force the job market to adapt. In this age of overwhelming technological progress, there are bound to be new jobs in the industry. Unfortunately, coupled with those new prospects, will be jobs that are likely to fade away from our job market.

One of the jobs that could be at stake is accounting and auditing. According to a study by Oxford University, 47% of jobs currently available in the job market around the world are at the risk of being obliterated by technology. Accounting and auditing could potentially be some of those jobs. New software is already available to companies to keep track of their records with less manpower as opposed to previous years. Accounting is a very popular education track for Mauritian students but it is not necessarily a job that will withstand the test of time, at least not in the large numbers that we currently have in the island.

If your education is leading you towards a career as a travel agent, then that it also something you might want to reconsider. Travel agencies are still popular in Mauritius mainly because of an older generation yet to fully master the wonders of the internet. As unfortunate as that is for the scores of travel agents in the country, a quick search on a website like Expedia, for example, would yield the necessary results when planning a trip. If you have a hectic schedule, it’s always good to have someone taking care of the hassle of organising a trip for you. If you have a few hours to spare, the internet is more than enough.

“For those already in the job market, the changes in the near future can be worrying. For those heading to university, it is a matter of doing the appropriate research and asking oneself a simple question. Can my job become redundant in the next 10 years?”

In terms of sector as well, it is advisable to stay well clear of the postal industry. Letters are mostly a thing of the past so all those thinking of getting involved in the postal industry should think again. On the bright side, there will be a day when online shopping will take Mauritius by storm and that is going to create new job opportunities in the future.

Now that is something we would have preferred not writing about but the reality of the ground is that print journalism is also at risk with the digital age. Traditional news outlets depending solely on print journalism will find it hard to survive over time. There are several reasons for that. First of all, unless the news outlet is providing something not available anywhere else, the important news is usually available for free online. Even major publications like The Guardian are having to cut down on employment of print journalists to balance the books. However, specialist papers like the Financial Times, have maintained a significant readership by having a subscription-based website and a unique product. As a result, print journalism jobs are not disappearing completely but they are diminishing in worrying numbers.   

This is a controversial addition to the list but computer programming can ironically also be a tricky field to get into. Obviously, it is for different reasons than the overwhelming presence of artificial intelligence on the job market. The adequate comparison would be with the textile industry with factories operating far away from a home nation. The issue is not that the jobs won’t be available at all but that they probably will be available in only a few countries. Global outsourcing is a major concern for computer programmers in the long run, meaning that geography could play an even bigger role in a career choice.

Simply put, most of the jobs disappearing in this day and age are due to automation and the growing use of artificial intelligence in our everyday society. In an article, the BBC summed up the issue about robots potentially stealing the jobs of humans. “If you worry that the robots are coming, don't, because they are already here,” said the report, rather ominously. However, there are undoubtedly openings that will be created as a result of this systematic shift in the employment structure.

For those already in the job market, the changes in the near future can be worrying. For those heading to university, it is a matter of doing the appropriate research and asking oneself a simple question. Can my job become redundant in the next 10 years? If the answer is anything but a resounding no, then it would be wise to reconsider one’s options. 

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