AIBU to suggest marketing or design training alongside acting work?

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Posting here for advice.

DC is an actor and have done a few things but need something that can provide a steady income and they can combine with acting and going to auditions. So they are looking at training in something else. I am thinking marketing, PR, Digital Design. He is very creative and has a good eye for detail.

Terrible idea, the job market for creative work is awful and AI is having a real impact. Something reliable and vocational would be better. Electrician, tree surgeon, mechanic? Can he offer voice or acting coaching to students?

It’s lots of waiting around and potentially travelling so something that he can do from a device anywhere would be ideal like graphic design - only as someone else said AI has effectively crushed this.
There’s always need for social media / marketing people though as so many people dislike or are rubbish at doing socials.

Digital design and related areas are being killed by AI. My cousin was a graphic designer, was made redundant and is now a postman.

None of those options are good at the moment.

I knew someone who was a nurse but made good money on the side as a high end barber.

My ex also used to make pretty good money as a waiter in posh restaurants.

You might think those jobs are below marketing but the likelihood is they will pay more money and he will be able to fit around acting.

Why are you doing the thinking for him? If he wants to train for something, I assume he has a skill in mind?

Your suggestions make sense on paper but, I'm reality, they are not professions which provide a stable income. They never really did unless one is well established and even less so now where everyone is their own designer with a combination of AI and Canva.

If suggest something along the lines of bookkeeping or plumbing/electrics. With a trade skill, he can set up as self-employed and fit it around his auditions.

I work in marketing, and while it's true that everyone is a graphic designer in the era of AI (and most of them bad ones), there is a huge backlash against it and most reputable businesses would touch it for graphics. Firstly because it's ripping actual designers content, the second because it's mostly shit - however good people think it is. The majority using it seems to be one-man bands, and small businesses. Same goes for content.

I am a prolific AI user myself, but I pay freelancers quite a large sum every month to produce original content.

That said, it's extremely competitive as so many people have gone freelance now. Best thing is find a niche. My freelancers are specific to the industry I work in.

A family member of mine combines acting with freelance digital content work for an income stream.

I work in creative industries do something else!
Hairdressing is a good shout. Requires flair, artistry and communication.

Thank you. Feeling a bit loss now on what to suggest. Interpreter? He speaks Spanish; Sign Language?

What jobs have not been killed by AI?

The forces? civil cervices?

Feeling worry for young people future.

What jobs have not been killed by AI?

Anything manual that involves a person having to pick something up (that isn't a mouse) and move it. So any of the trades or anything that involves tools or using your hands, or going outdoors.

Not translators, they will also be replaced by AI.

DS is an actor with self employed barber on the side…gives him ability to schedule for roles/rehearsals and keeps him in a fairly regular income. It’s probably about 50/50 in terms of the incomes this quarter. He got a 2 day non speaking role which developed into a 26 day featured role…he rescheduled his clients to evenings or weekends.

There is no greater acting role in the world than dealing with general public on a day to day basis 🤣

Good points. Thank you. So basically physical work, hair dressers, nursing, maybe retail, animal care, gardeners

I’d definitely recommend the self employed route for flexibility for roles when they come up. DS (actor) and DH (musician) both do this.

Yes, it’s a good idea to have a back up career / plan B.

I personally wouldn’t go anywhere near the careers you’ve mentioned. Massive contraction in entry level roles, huge impact of AI.

Practical skills. A trade certainly - plumbing, electrician, plasterer, decorator. Or how about care work?