Is Your Career Next in Line? 16 Jobs Set to Disappear by 2035

Forget the fear-mongering; this isn't about robots taking all our jobs. Instead, it's a call to action for every American worker to critically assess their career path and prepare for a future where adaptability, continuous learning, and human-centric skills will be paramount.

The writing is on the wall, and the digital ink is drying fast. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, advanced robotics, and changing consumer behaviors are creating an unprecedented wave of disruption. While this evolution will undoubtedly create new opportunities, it will also undeniably displace a significant portion of the workforce currently engaged in tasks that are repetitive, easily automatable, or becoming irrelevant.

So, which jobs are most vulnerable? Here’s a look at 16 careers that are likely to face significant decline, if not outright extinction, by 2035:

Travel Agents: The ease and efficiency of online booking platforms and AI-powered travel planning tools have already significantly impacted this profession. While niche luxury or complex itinerary planning might persist, the vast majority of traditional travel agent roles will likely disappear.

Cashiers: Self-checkout kiosks, mobile payment apps, and "just walk out" technology in stores are rapidly making human cashiers redundant.

Truck Drivers (Long-Haul): Autonomous trucking technology is progressing at an astounding pace. While some human oversight might be required initially, fully self-driving trucks will revolutionize the logistics industry, dramatically reducing the need for human drivers.

Data Entry Clerks: AI and machine learning algorithms are increasingly capable of automatically extracting, processing, and organizing data with far greater speed and accuracy than humans.

Telemarketers/Telesales Representatives: Annoying robocalls and sophisticated AI-powered chatbots are already replacing human telemarketers, offering 24/7 availability and personalized interactions.

Librarians (Traditional): While community-focused library roles might evolve, the traditional role of a librarian as a book cataloger and information dispenser is being eroded by digital archives, search engines, and AI-driven information retrieval.

Newspaper Delivery Persons: T he decline of physical newspapers and the shift to digital news consumption have already made this a dying profession.

Postal Workers (Mail Sorting/Delivery): Automated sorting facilities and the increasing popularity of email and digital communication mean a shrinking volume of physical mail, reducing the need for manual processing and delivery.

Taxi/Ride-Share Drivers (Human-Operated): The widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles for ride-sharing services is an inevitable future.

Manufacturing Line Workers (Repetitive Tasks): Robotics and advanced automation are transforming factories, taking over repetitive and often dangerous assembly line tasks.

Bank Tellers: Online banking, mobile apps, and smart ATMs have drastically reduced the need for in-person banking transactions.

Proofreaders/Copy Editors (Basic Level): AI-powered grammar and style checkers are becoming incredibly sophisticated, handling basic proofreading with ease. Human expertise will still be valued for complex or nuanced content, but the entry-level roles will diminish.

Retail Sales Associates (Transactional): While customer service and experience-focused retail roles will remain, sales associates primarily focused on processing transactions will be replaced by self-service options and online shopping.

Fast Food Cooks (Basic Prep): Automated kitchens and robotic fry cooks are already being piloted, promising faster service and consistent quality, reducing the need for human workers in basic food preparation.

Agricultural Laborers (Harvesting): Robotic harvesters and autonomous farming equipment are becoming more prevalent, especially for crops that are difficult or labor-intensive to pick by hand.

Paralegals (Basic Document Review): AI can now review and analyze legal documents at lightning speed, identifying key information and patterns that would take human paralegals hours or days.

What Does This Mean for You?

This isn't a doomsday prophecy; it's a wake-up call. The key takeaway here isn't to panic, but to adapt. The jobs of the future will demand distinctly human skills that AI and robots struggle to replicate: creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability.

Here's how you can prepare:

Embrace Lifelong Learning: The era of a single career for life is over. Invest in continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling. Online courses, certifications, and vocational training will be crucial.

Develop "Soft Skills": Focus on strengthening your communication, teamwork, leadership, and empathy. These are skills that are inherently human and highly valued in any evolving workplace.

Consider a Career Pivot: If your current job falls into one of the vulnerable categories, start exploring new career paths that align with future demand. Look into fields like renewable energy, cybersecurity, AI development, healthcare (especially elder care), and personalized services.

Think Entrepreneurially: The disruption will also create opportunities for new businesses and services. Consider leveraging your skills to create your own venture.

Advocate for Retraining Programs: Support initiatives and policies that invest in workforce retraining and education to help displaced workers transition into new roles.

The next decade will be transformative for the American workforce. By understanding the coming changes and proactively preparing, you can not only survive but thrive in the evolving landscape of work. The future isn't about avoiding automation; it's about harnessing it to create a more productive and fulfilling professional life.