There is growing tension in the global economy as of late. Many bankers and analysts and journalists are forecasting a major economic crisis for sometime this year--perhaps the Fall--as the world is poised for some kind of economic reset.
But what would that really mean? We are already in the midst of a transition to a new civilization, as I've written before, but do we really understand what it would mean if what know about economics and money and the exchange of goods and services would crumble--if those systems we have relied upon for half a century were to be somehow reset.
Right now, most people live in urban environments, contrary to where the majority of North Americans lived 50 years ago, namely rural areas. And most jobs have 'transitioned' from manual labour to 'knowledge work', that is, performing various roles that require working with information rather than, say, soil and seeds. This has created a system of reliance upon mass produced, mass farmed food products, and mass transit systems through which to ship it. The problem is, it's unsustainable. If the economy were ever to crater, and those 'services' went bankrupt, where would the food come from?
I've also written about the importance of up-skilling by taking college courses, etc, to stay requisite to the demands of a rapidly changing economy and work force. But that response might, however, be too late. Already we're seeing headlines like that from Financial Times that instate a call to action over the automation of jobs--and it's not just manual jobs, but knowledge work as well!
So let's say come fall we hit an economic crisis of crises, and the economy falls apart. Who will be on the right side of that catastrophe? The following are the top-rated jobs in the event of an economic collapse (inspired by a great little article at All Self Sustained:
1. Gardener, Farmer, Horticulturist: These are people who have knowledge of food production. I drove past a mennonite field on the week-end, in which a number of farmers were ploughing using horses--talk about master farmers! Anyone with skills in providing food will be very busy during the next economic collapse.
2. Anything to do with Water: From treatment to procurement to sourcing to storing, people will need water, and it won't be available for purchase in fancy plastic bottles. Additionally, waste management, plumbing, and construction skills to build these systems will be critical.
3. Builders: Those who can build shelters, especially with natural materials and means will be in high demand. If you've ever seen the TV show "Live Free or Die" you know what I mean. Imagine living in a time of complete scarcity and trying to build some shelter--without modern tools? Those who are able to build homes, shelters, barns, etc will be very busy.
4. Alternative Energy: We'll need energy--that's for sure. Barring there isn't access to oil and gas, we'll need to heat our homes. Those who understand how to build solar panels and create geo-thermal systems, among other solutions, will be in high demand.
A Forest Dweller, from the TV series Live Free or Die
5. Protection and Security: In the event of a collapse, there will be chaos. The super-rich are already preparing for this by building high-end bunkers and 'panic rooms'--in fact, industry sales have increased 30% over the past year alone. If you're a police officer, and/or have military experience. you will be highly valuable for helping people feel safe, as well as provide security systems that will ward off looters and other criminals.
6. Medical professionals: This is pretty obvious when you think about all the various things that could go wrong, and how people's safety could be compromised. Consider also what happens when pharmaceuticals are scarce and millions of people on anti-depressants are in cold turkey mode. People who can care for others' physical well-being will be in high demand.
If you're able to care for basic needs, you'll be in a good position to transition to this new civilization. For the rest, if you're reading this and wondering how to up-skill, consider taking one or more of the above skills and learn them. Gardening is one easy first-step: you can grow one in your backyard and practice. Other skills might take some time, such as building and nursing, but there's value in it.
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