what-role-should-teachers-play-in-career-guidance

The challenges of technology and automation have threatened jobs since the industrial age. However, it doesn't necessary mean there are fewer available jobs, rather there is now a need for newer jobs since all this technology and automation requires operators, programmers, maintenance/technicians, testers, supervisors, etc, etc. Therefore, I don't see the human element being at risk as drastically as it is mentioned in the article at 38%. Rather, there is now a need for 38% of newer types of jobs.

As a teacher I think its important to teach students how to adapt and to think beyond job trends/statistics. 100 years ago there was no such thing a UX designer or a Uber driver, but the rise of social media and mobile apps have created these new jobs. Heck 200 years ago pilots or astronauts didn't exist! Sometimes finding these new jobs are difficult or ambiguous, so it might be easier to find people in different industries that interest them. Then research what they do and what it took to get them there. If people don't interest your students, then search products or services or entire industries that do something that peaks their interests.

Lastly, there is one career that will probably never go out (despite advances in software and technology) and that's teaching. Contrary to popular belief it is the oldest profession and the most vital. Ask any parent what they do on a daily basis with their kids, it's usually teaching them something even if they don't realize it.

After I hung up my uniform I became a high school English teacher. As an English teacher I saw that I had a limited but important role, which was to teach my students to communicate their ideas to others. My classroom mantra was, language is power, meaning if you command the language you command power.

During my military career I worked with many who, in some ways, were better than me, more drive or whatever, but they could not write worth shit. Sometimes I wrote for them. The greatest leaders and commanders are great communicators. Gen. Mattis, Gen. Powell, Adm. Rickover, Gen. Olds, Gen. Eisenhower, Adm. Mahan, all the way back to Gen. Washington, they all are/were great communicators.