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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What careers are future proof?

422 replies

9hdtvey54r · 09/05/2025 12:36

I am thinking of retraining and wondering what careers do you think are future proof? I think the trades are e.g. plumber, electrician etc - any other thoughts? Thank you.

OP posts:
Blinky21 · 09/05/2025 14:02

Surely the medical advances through AI will impact at least some healthcare jobs though unlikely nursing I would think

ThanksItHasPockets · 09/05/2025 14:02

Some allied healthcare professions are also at risk, eg technical roles like radiography.

Mukey · 09/05/2025 14:03

I think dentistry is pretty safe for a while. At least until they can regrow teeth. And I wouldn’t be allowing a robot to do my teeth any time soon. But to be honest, I wouldn’t ever EVER recommend anyone goes into dentistry unless it’s all they’ve dreamt of. It’s awful these days and I so wish I could get out of it. (I’m a hygienist not a dentist but it’s just as bad. I just want out of dentistry totally)

MoominMai · 09/05/2025 14:03

ScottBakula · 09/05/2025 13:36

Nope , look at how many people cut their own hair during covid.

Yes but they all did the scurry of shame straight back to hairdressers once it was safe! Also, Millennials and Gen Z esp are into constantly changing their styles and colours. People are just so self conscious about their image these days with the rise of social media 🙃

MalteaserQueen · 09/05/2025 14:04

We have an ageing population - find something that caters to their demands and work in that field.

Middlechild3 · 09/05/2025 14:05

ThatCyanCat · 09/05/2025 13:12

What the fuck, how are nurses being made redundant in a nursing shortage? Where's the money going?

I recently had an appt with an NHS special interest GP. She apologised saying she couldn't make a follow up appt as all the staff in the clinic were being made redundant in 3 weeks. Doctors, nurses, admin all of them. I don't think the NHS as we know it has much longer tbh.

GreenSkyes · 09/05/2025 14:07

Social services. Anything here.
Those saying Medical, ai/tech is moving hugely in this area. Definitely not long term future proof.

Unbeleevable · 09/05/2025 14:07

Jobs where a personal touch is important eg pub landlady , chef, personal trainer

Politician

Cakebird · 09/05/2025 14:08

Many undertakers are struggling because of the rise in direct and no-frills funerals offered by direct funeral companies.
Yes, people will always die, but an increasing number of people are choosing to go without the more hands-on service offered by funeral directors. So, not future proof I'm afraid.

User69611 · 09/05/2025 14:08

Overtheatlantic · 09/05/2025 12:53

Finance, accounting, HR

Not HR, AI is replacing that already

viques · 09/05/2025 14:09

MalteaserQueen · 09/05/2025 14:04

We have an ageing population - find something that caters to their demands and work in that field.

I’d like to think you are thinking along the lines of gigalo or sex therapist, but suspect you are actually thinking of something in the care line.

inamarina · 09/05/2025 14:09

ScottBakula · 09/05/2025 13:36

Nope , look at how many people cut their own hair during covid.

Hmm, they didn’t really have a choice during Covid though.
Hair/beauty often seem quite recession resistant - our local town has hardly any clothing shops left, but still plenty of hairdressers, beauticians and nail bars.

Vinvertebrate · 09/05/2025 14:09

Not law. The first AI law firm has just been approved by the regulator. It will charge £2.00 for a standard letter and £7.50 for a letter of claim.

I left private practice a decade ago and even then my charge our rate was £500 an hour!

EasternStandard · 09/05/2025 14:11

Cabbagefamily · 09/05/2025 13:54

My nephew is finishing a physiotherapy degree this summer. The university has already warned them that there are very, very few jobs available.

Do you / he know why?

Init4thecatz · 09/05/2025 14:12

I'd imagine 90% of office work can be automated. Most is just numbers in, numbers out. HR stuff (training, payroll, putting together packs, even redundancies) can all be automated.

Sales... maybe AI safe, as people won't want to just get an automated call, they'll generally want to interact and hold items.

Teaching... I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up as tablet learning (sadly). If parents can outsource to tablets, why can't teachers! Maybe more for the, say, 10+ age bracket.

Most of retail will be gone (see the Amazon people-free shops, and how the highstreets are disappearing).

Translators all gone

Designers, unless we're talking hard-core artists, it's easy now to ask AI 'design a logo'.

Analysts all gone.

Anything repetitive... data entry, shelf stackers, bookkeeping, proofreaders, order takers (fast food)...

The ones likely to stay will be those that use 'unique' situations. As others have said, hair and makeup, plumbers (every house is different), electricians, doctors/mental health, mediation, scientists/research...
And of course enacting that requires creativity like chefs, landscapers (maybe).

Even things like picking strawberries are being automated these days, and you would have thought that they're soft hidden by leaves, etc, but no.

FrogsAreMean · 09/05/2025 14:12

Undertaker

viques · 09/05/2025 14:12

Politician, they look after their own and if you play your cards right and wangle a peerage you are more or less set for life, just turn up, sign in, have a nice subsidised lunch and a snooze in the library, tea on the terrace in good weather, go home, get paid.

viques · 09/05/2025 14:13

EasternStandard · 09/05/2025 14:11

Do you / he know why?

Have you ever tried to get an NHS physio appointment? Private work only, so limited to people who can afford it.

U53rn8m3ch8ng3 · 09/05/2025 14:14

TheHappyBug · 09/05/2025 12:53

Finance, there will always be money in the world and people who want to count it.

Disagree, that will all be done digitally and automatically in the not too distant future I'm sure.

Jenkibuble · 09/05/2025 14:14

Prison staff !

rose69 · 09/05/2025 14:14

Hands on NHS jobs that are being cut at the moment are due to funding cuts not AI.

Musclewoman · 09/05/2025 14:15

Overtheatlantic · 09/05/2025 12:53

Finance, accounting, HR

Just started my CIPD level 3 so I'm glad you said HR 😁

Middlechild3 · 09/05/2025 14:15

I think specialists in human population control will be in demand in the not too distant future.

TerrorAustralis · 09/05/2025 14:15

Nurses, allied health, physio – think beyond the NHS. There are jobs for you all around the world.

godmum56 · 09/05/2025 14:16

plumbing, electricity, gas, building provided you keep up with innovation.

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