The Jobs That Won’t Exist in 10 Years

Let’s face it: the world moves fast. Ten years ago, we were still renting DVDs from Blockbuster and arguing over whether smartphones would ever replace laptops. Now, we’re streaming everything and asking AI to write our emails. Jobs come and go with the times, and by 2035, some gigs we take for granted today are going to be as outdated as a fax machine. Here’s my take on what’s headed for the chopping block—and why.

1. Cashiers: The Self-Checkout Takeover

I was at the grocery store last week, and there were more self-checkout machines than people in aprons. Retail’s been inching this way for years—Walmart, Target, you name it, they’re all in on it. Sure, there’s still a cashier or two hovering around, but with scanners getting smarter and apps letting you pay from your phone, why keep a human there? By 2035, I’d bet most stores will be cashier-free. The only holdouts might be those fancy boutique places where “human service” is part of the vibe.

2. Postal Workers: Snail Mail’s Last Gasp

I can’t remember the last time I mailed a letter that wasn’t a Christmas card. Bills? Online. Invites? Evite or a text. Packages still need delivering, but drones and those little robot carts are already popping up in cities. The U.S. Postal Service is hanging on, but with email, instant messaging, and Amazon’s delivery army, traditional mail carriers are fighting a losing battle. Ten years from now, I’d guess most of them will be retired or retrained for something else.

3. Travel= Travel Agents: DIY Wanderlust

Back in the day, you’d walk into a travel agency to book a trip—flights, hotels, the works. Now? I just spent 20 minutes on Google Flights and snagged a deal to Austin cheaper than my buddy’s travel agent quoted him. Sites like Expedia, Kayak, and Airbnb have made it so easy to plan your own adventure, the middleman’s toast. Sure, some high-end agencies might stick around for luxury trips, but for the average Joe like me? By 2035, “travel agent” will sound like “telegraph operator.”

4. Factory Workers: Robots Don’t Unionize

I toured a car plant once, and half the “workers” were robotic arms welding stuff faster than any human could. Automation’s been eating factory jobs for decades, but now it’s getting personal—AI can tweak production lines on the fly, and 3D printers are spitting out parts overnight. The guys still on the floor are mostly there to babysit the machines. In ten years, I’d wager most factories will be ghost towns, save for a few techs keeping the bots humming.

5. Bank Tellers: ATMs Grow Up

When’s the last time you stepped inside a bank? I’ve been depositing checks with my phone for years. ATMs handle cash, apps handle transfers, and if I need a loan, I’m chatting with a bot before a human. Tellers are already on borrowed time—branches are closing left and right. By 2035, I’d say the only tellers left will be in small towns where folks still like a handshake with their banking.

What’s Next?

It’s not all doom and gloom. Every time a job dies, something new pops up—think “drone pilot” or “AI trainer.” But if you’re in one of these gigs, maybe start brushing up your resume. The future’s coming, ready or not, and it’s not waiting for anyone to catch up.

What do you think—am I off base? Got a job you reckon won’t make it to 2035? Let me know—I’m all ears.