Description
Technology is a primary driver of change to occupations and skills. Technology may create jobs, eliminate jobs, or transform them in such a way that while the job title may stay the same, the job itself may be very different.
Two occupations that have changed dramatically are the job of soldier and the job of automobile mechanic. Choose one of these occupations and explore the changes.
Find newspaper, magazine, or online articles from reputable news sources that describe changes to the occupation.
For the occupation of soldier, you might want to explore changes in the physical fitness levels, the type and location of fighting, and the ability to stay in contact with family and friends through social networking sites, etc.
For the occupation of auto mechanic, you might want to explore changes in how knowledge is required, including formal knowledge and tacit skills, and how these changes affect job complexity, diversity, and autonomy.
What you write:
Briefly describe the changes. From what you read, how are these changes viewed? Are they seen as deskilling workers or enhancing the occupation and workers’ skill levels? Are there groups that have differing views on the changes? What is your assessment of the changes?