We’ve already shown what might be the existence of a possible African-American underclass (read more about it here). Now you are wondering what can you do to prevent becoming a member of it. Get skilled! Regardless of how many degrees you have, pick up a skill that can’t be outsourced and eliminated. You can pick the right skill by looking at trends.
Before we discuss the trends, I want you to know why now is the best time to get a skill. Pay attention this article, “Congress Cuts $303 Million From Federal Pell Grant Program.” While many people focused on the $303 million in cuts they ignored, “The measure, championed by Senate Democrats, would cut Pell Grants in order to free up money to pay companies that collect student loans on behalf of the Department of Education.” Aside from the politics, the article says the government is using the funds to go after people who owe student loans. The government sees that it could make more money from students owing the government instead of investing in students.
The truth is in this new economy if you lack the education and skills needed you can’t compete. I’ve seen retail associates job postings where employers required applicants to have a degree. A degree! Think about it like this, if you can’t pay for post-secondary education, you can’t develop a skill. If you don’t have a skill employers won’t hire you and you will remain poor. That is the cycle of poverty.
Why do you need these skills?
Along with the threat of poverty, some jobs will be eliminated because of technology. There are all ready self-driving cars so there will be no need for taxi drivers. To our frustration, we already have automated customer service representatives and checkout kiosks. So those jobs are slowly but surely going to be eliminated too. According to Forbes article titled Was Your Job Replaced By Technology? There’s A Decent Chance You’ll Get Hired Back,
“The top three industries to have “deskilled” workers–the process of replacing humans with automated technologies–are information technology, financial services, and manufacturing, though workers have been affected by this process across numerous industries. And consumers already frustrated by never being able to reach a human employee when they call a company for assistance should prepare for the worst: The fields most likely to be impacted over the next decade are customer service, IT, accounting and finance, assembly and production, shipping and distribution, and sales.” Technology has made these services cheaper and machines do not require a salary or healthcare.
You can separate yourself from other Americans by learning a technical skill many of them do not have. In the New York Times article “As Robots Grow Smarter, American Workers Struggle to Keep Up,”
“At the same time, the American work force has gained skills at a slower rate than in the past — and at a slower rate than in many other countries. Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 are among the most skilled in the world, according to a recent report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Younger Americans are closer to average among the residents of rich countries, and below average by some measures.”
Someone will need to program those cars. Someone will need to repair those kiosks. That someone could be you. The article also goes on to say, “There are certain human skills machines will probably never replicate, like common sense, adaptability and creativity, said David Autor, an economist at M.I.T. Even jobs that become automated often require human involvement, like doctors on standby to assist the automated anesthesiologist, called Sedasys.” You can work in the medical field.
Where are African-Americans working?
Most African-Americans are working in the educational services, and health care and social assistance industry. However, if we take a look at the occupations they are in, many of them work in service jobs. The same service jobs that can result in elimination because of automation.
African-American Employees by Industry, 2013
| Industry | Estimate |
| Civilian employed population 16 years and over |
16,029,349 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining |
0.6% |
| Construction |
2.9% |
| Manufacturing |
8.6% |
| Wholesale trade |
1.8% |
| Retail trade |
11.6% |
| Transportation and warehousing, and utilities |
7.1% |
| Information |
2.1% |
| Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing |
5.8% |
| Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services |
9.5% |
| Educational services, and health care and social assistance |
29.3% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services |
9.8% |
| Other services (except public administration) |
4.2% |
| Public administration |
6.7% |
Source: United States Census, Selected Population Profile in the United States, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates Table – S0201
African-American Occupations, 2013
| Occupation | Estimate |
| Civilian employed population 16 years and over |
16,029,349 |
| Management, business, science, and arts occupations |
28.1% |
| Service occupations |
25.8% |
| Sales and office occupations |
25.6% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations |
5.2% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving occupations |
15.3% |
Source: United States Census, Selected Population Profile in the United States, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates Table – S0201
What are the occupation projections?
Below is a list of the top 10 declining occupations from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because we pay attention to trends, we know even government jobs aren’t safe. It is why post office jobs are declining. The government cut their budget and are forcing privatization. For more information on post office cuts please read, “House to use post office cuts to fund highway bill”
Declining Projected Job Rate 2012-2022
| Occupation | Growth Rate, 2012-2022 |
| Postal service clerks | -28% |
| Postal service mail carriers | -28% |
| Semiconductor processors | -27% |
| Broadcast news analysts | -13% |
| Reporters and correspondents | -13% |
| Travel agents | -12% |
| Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers | -10% |
| Fallers | -9% |
| Log graders and scalers | -9% |
| Logging workers, all other | -9% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2013
For a complete list of declining occupations click here.
Now take a look below at the occupations the Bureau of Labor Statistics says are going to grow. At the top of the list are personal care and home health aides. Why are those occupations growing? It is because we have an aging American population. The United State Census 2012 projections say, “…the population age 65 and older is expected to more than double between 2012 and 2060, from 43.1 million to 92.0 million. The older population would represent just over one in five U.S. residents by the end of the period, up from one in seven today. The increase in the number of the “oldest old” would be even more dramatic — those 85 and older are projected to more than triple from 5.9 million to 18.2 million, reaching 4.3 percent of the total population.” An aging population will need someone to provide healthcare services.
By the way, I believe the reason those two occupations will grow is because they do not require as much education as a nursing and medical degree. These are low paying occupations that mostly for-profit schools, if you watch the commercials, will try to steer people of color to. Avoid them at all cost and if you are going into the medical profession seek a highly skilled occupation.
Top 10 Fastest Growing Occupations Projected, 2012-2022
| Occupations | Growth Rate, 2012-2022 | 2012 Median Pay |
| Industrial-organizational psychologists | 53% | $83,580 |
| Personal care aides | 49% | $19,910 |
| Home health aides | 48% | $20,820 |
| Insulation workers, mechanical | 47% | $39,170 |
| Interpreters and translators | 46% | $45,430 |
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | 46% | $65,860 |
| Helpers-brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters | 43% | $28,220 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | 43% | $53,240 |
| Genetic counselors | 41% | $56,800 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 41% | $52,160 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2013
For a complete list of the fastest growing occupations click here.
One more thing. Take a look at the fifth occupation, Interpreters and translators. Why do you think it is third? It is because the country will be majority minority and most of them are Spanish-speaking Americans. According to the U.S. Census, “The Hispanic population would more than double, from 53.3 million in 2012 to 128.8 million in 2060. Consequently, by the end of the period, nearly one in three U.S. residents would be Hispanic, up from about one in six today.”
Where can you go find out information on technical and high skilled training?
Go to the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator. Not only can you find schools in your local area, you can look at the graduation rate of the schools and the cost. Let me stress one point. Avoid for-profit schools because they are a rip off. In Whitney Barkley’s opinion piece for CNN called For-Profit Colleges Rip Off Students it says,
“On average, tuition at for-profit colleges is four to six times higher than at a comparable public school. A two-year Senate investigation found a medical assistant diploma cost $22,275 at Corinthian’s Heald College in Fresno, California, while the same program at Fresno City College costs $1,650. An undergraduate certificate in paralegal studies at the Anaheim campus of Everest Colleges costs more than $43,000. At the Anaheim area community college, an associate’s degree in paralegal studies costs less than $3,000.”
And students at for-profit colleges generally cannot transfer credits because the schools lack the accreditation recognized by traditional community and four-year colleges. Without a job or the ability to transfer credits, students at for-profit colleges all too often find themselves unable to repay their loans; for-profit college students represent just 11% of federal loan borrowers, yet account for nearly 50% of loan defaulters.
Watching trends can prepare you to make smart decisions and life plan. By the way, if you are an entrepreneur you can use this same data to start or even adjust your business to adapt to demographic and economic trends. I hope this post opened up your eyes. It is up to you to decide whether you will merely survive or thrive. My goal is that you thrive. Good luck.
Here are some free websites that will help you make these decisions:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov
- United States Census: www.census.gov
- The Federal Reserve Beige Book: www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook
- Bureau of Economic Analysis: www.bea.gov
If you like this post subscribe to this blog and want in-depth solutions on how to change your destiny for the price of less than a cup of coffee ($2.99) check out my e-book, Change Your Mind, Change Your Destiny: The lifestyle blueprint for the strategic Black woman who wants to win and master her life. Since you made it this far in the post, as my gift to you, I want you to download my free Change Your Mind, Change Your Life_Goals and Action Plan Worksheet worksheets that will help you create your goals and stick to them.
Or you can donate here:
It is a revolutionary act to be a Black woman who loves self in a world that says she shouldn’t. Be a revolutionary.
Thank you for reading,
Kisha aka Bougie Black Girl
The article is right on target about the skills of African Americans. Although, I am currently updating my skills in communication and have earned a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts Degree, the education and experience is never enough for the job requirement. Companies are updating their job requirements to keep certain individuals out of the job market. Therefore, I have to multitask my skills and work for small communication companies that offer this training. And this means little pay. The catch 22- no more money for college, excessive student loans to pay off for the first two degrees, and no money to get the second masters degree which would lead to a Ph D. program. Also, there are media professionals that have been working in their careers for more than twenty-five years and do not plan to retire. Which means they are not going to retire in million dollar jobs. For me as an youthful baby boomer has to compete with the younger generation, maintain my looks, education, and skills to survive. Thank you for the article. Great reality check for those not in the know.
Many fail to see college is slowly becoming a privilege for the rich. Thank you for reading.
Hello Bougie, Once again insightful information. Currently I attend Pasadena City College this college is amazing. They offer an Anesthesia Technology program, which is a one year program. You must have all the required classes finish before you start the program. Students who finish this program have several jobs waiting for them. The interesting part is that many students are waiting to get into the nursing, yet they could be making money and saving. Since you mention the aging baby boomers. The director of the health science division has instituted certification in gerontology which will allow their nursing students to get jobs before others. Funny thing about this some of the new graduates do not see this as a certificate to have on their resume. Overall this college is making chances in their curriculum to make should their students stay head of the game. I myself anesthesia technology program, than heading for the nursing program, eventually Nurse anesthetist. Also four more classes to take for gerontology certificate. Thank you.
CONGRATS!!!
I am growing impatient and tired of living at home. I am going to community college soon to save some money and I am majoring in Media and Communications. I want to become an author/news reporter. I was reading your post and realizing that my dreams of becoming an becoming a news reporter might be unrealistic due to the charts and job market. So I have decided that if I don’t land a job as a news reporter after I graduate from community college, then I will make my own magazine in the future. That way I can make my own money and become my own boss.
Girl, you ain’t never lied! But, please don’t discourage people from going into the skilled trades. You can’t outsource a plugged up drain line. And it will cost you some bucks to get someone out to your house to clean those tree roots out of your sewer line when it is backed up. Similarly, you can’t get someone in India to repair your air conditioner in midsummer. Those trades offer honorable, well paid work to people who just can’t get behind the college thing.
I am hoping more people go to trade schools. Unlike soft skilled jobs, trade school jobs are harder to outsource and eliminate.
If I had a college aged child, I’d encourage them to go to trade school.
It’s sad that so many in my generation went to college for nearly nothing; in fact those who went to CUNY in the early 70’s paid nothing for college, it was free.
Hi Bougie,
First, let me say that I love your blog! Thank you so much for your hard work. Here are my tips for helping BW avoid becoming the underclass:
1) Don’t have OOW children! The quickest way to poverty is single motherhood. Furthermore, engage in family planning. Not everyone can have families as large as the Duggars.
2) Be smart about education and realize there are no more guaranteed paths to financial security. You have to really examine your proposed education path to get the most bang for your buck.
3) Think about becoming an entrepreneur. I never wanted to explore this possibility. I was more than content to work for someone else and collect my paycheck, but thanks to Khadija’s gut check about the realities of the American economy, I realized that I will have to do for self to some extent. Maybe you become the cake lady who visits the hair salons. Maybe you clean houses. Maybe you create the next Forever 21.
4) Think about moving to areas where your money can stretch further. I know more than a few Northern AAs who have moved South or to flyover country to have a better standard of living.
5) Stop playing games with your relatives. Cut off leeches! So many BW support trifling relatives. Furthermore, if you have a business, do not treat it like an employment agency for your relatives. By all means, hire your trustworthy, reliable relatives and friends, but keep your unsavory folks away from your business. I have seen many BW businesses close due to their trifling relative employees. I have relatives I will (and have) entered into business ventures with, and I also have relatives that I would not hire to paint my house because of their trifling ways.
6) Think of investing your money. My family owns a few rental properties. We were thinking of selling them off, but due to the economy, we decided to keep them. If worse comes to worse, we’ll have some places to live.
You are on fire! Paying attention to trends helps prepare for the future. I had a brief part-time job at a trusts & estates firm. Although it was short, lived, it was a valuable experience. 1. The office had a small oven so that in addition to offering clients and potential clients coffee or tea, they had freshly-baked cookies available, along with the amazing smell. 2. I happened to be there during their annual review. They handed out binders describing how their business operates. Several moves and years later, I still have that binder.
For those in the USA, a trade can be a great way to go. My brother went to a community college for sound editing, and now he works at a radio station.
People interested in college should look at programs outside the USA, because in places like Germany and Finland, tuition is free.
My hometown has more light rail and subway lines in the works. Recently, the black community fought/protested/advocated for a particular rail stop. The group was headed by a black man who said he went to Harvard. I find it difficult to take him seriously, because I was aware of the rail plans in 2002, as they are public knowledge. Why was he aware enough to complain at meetings in 2012, but not to participate a decade earlier, when an organization would have an easier time making themselves heard? Too often, we are a day late and a dollar short.
Yep
Many collectors all through the world put American Silver Eagles away every year for themselves, their youngsters, and grandchildren.
Poodles should be bathed and trimmed every
two months. These kind of shoes keep the dog paws dry all the time at the exact same
time reusable making it less complicated to
use them more usually. It can be almost the easiest thing to distribute since their
graphic alone creates a warmth in us and also a
desire to cause them to become happy.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject.
I love all the points you’ve made.
Nice response in return of this difficulty with real arguments
andd telling everything about that.
Sure, I’ve a number of singer machines that I’ve both inherited or
had been just given to me as a result of the members of the
family didn’t want any longer.
We perceive there are occasions when stopping at our firewood
store is simply not an environment friendly errand for the day.