I am waiting for job market shifts for ten years now, when will the big bang actually happen or is it all just doomerism?

Title: Navigating Career Choices in an Uncertain Job Market: Insights on the Future of Work

As we reflect on the evolving job market, it’s natural to ponder the implications of technological advancements and demographic shifts on our career choices. For the past decade, I’ve been closely monitoring these transformations, questioning whether a significant upheaval in the job landscape is on the horizon or if the fear surrounding this evolution is simply a reflection of societal anxiety.

Currently, I stand at a crossroads in my professional journey, contemplating which degree would not only resonate with my passion for Law and Philosophy but also be resilient in the face of future job market changes. After extensive research and countless discussions online, the consensus appears to be that there are no definitive answers. This uncertainty is amplified by the fact that job markets and societal dynamics can vary remarkably from one country to another, with much of the dialogue overly focused on the United States.

For instance, in Germany, the legal sector is exhibiting a robust demand for professionals, a trend likely to persist as demographic changes necessitate a larger workforce. Additionally, fields such as Education, Psychology, Health, and Public Administration are also projected to require more skilled individuals to fill emerging roles.

While many assert that government intervention—through increased migration or incentives for higher birth rates—is needed to address these demographic challenges, I question whether such actions are necessary. With estimates suggesting that artificial intelligence could potentially transform anywhere from 0% to 80% of jobs, the long-term impacts on an aging workforce may render some demographic concerns moot. Interestingly, the public discourse surrounding this issue is relatively quiet; while awareness of AI’s potential exists, there seems to be a collective resignation, as no one truly knows how or when this change will manifest.

Interviews with tech experts often fail to yield conclusive guidance on which careers or degrees to pursue, yet there seems to be a growing consensus that jobs characterized by repetitive tasks are most at risk of automation. In the legal domain, while roles such as paralegals may become obsolete, professions like lawyers and judges are expected to endure, albeit potentially with reduced staffing in corporate legal teams.

Reflecting on my own experiences in various workplaces, I’ve encountered numerous inefficiencies that could be vastly improved through automation. For example, a previous role in retail involved processes that were excessively manual, a sentiment echoed by friends in different industries. One friend spends hours transferring candidate information in HR tasks that could easily be automated. Another must input values into pricing models—positions