High school and college students in the United States today,
as well as others who plan to work in this country, have one important question
about their futures: Will they find a job There’s no easy answer, of course.
But let’s look at some of the recent changes in the U.S. job market and see if
we can make some predictions for future job hunters. A. good way
to begin is to look at the American work force and how it’s changing. Clearly,
the most important change has been the shift from a manufacturing economy to a
service economy. Let’s define both of these terms. First, a service economy is
one in which most workers provide services--that is they do something instead of
making something. They don’t produce a specific product; they serve customers or
clients, like your doctor does, or your hair stylist, or airline pilots,
salesclerks, etc. Now, in contrast, people who actually produce things -- like
cars, furniture or clothing--are part of the manufacturing economy.
So again, the point here is that we have changed from a manufacturing
economy to a service economy. The following numbers will show you just how
big a change this has been. One hundred years ago, 80% of workers produced
goods; today only about 20% do. Economists predict that this change is going to
continue in the same direction, in fact, by the year 2000, nine out of ten
workers will supply services.
The Changing U.S. Job Market Change in work force: (46)
to (47) economy. A. Definitions: 1. produce
things 2. do something instead of making something B. States: 1.100
years ago: (48) 2. (49) :20%
workers 3. year 2000: (50)