It’s incredible how many career paths that were prestigious and well-paid in the 20th century have done a reputation backflip and are now looked down on.
Tellingly, most of these jobs are in the service industry. Technology has automated systems and given us unprecedented access to knowledge, making some specialist skills and expertise redundant.
But perhaps it isn’t the sole reason for the decline of respect for these roles. Are we losing the personal touch of interacting with humans?
Here are 12 professions that were once highly respected but are now seen as inferior.
Shop Assistant
Working in retail used to be a highly respected career choice. People would work as shop assistants for years and earn a decent wage. They were trained and had extensive knowledge of their products, helping customers find not only what they needed but also offering astute advice.
Bank Tellers
Getting a job as a bank teller was a legitimate way to start a career in finance. Unfortunately, technology has made many bank-teller services obsolete. Today, high-level math skills are not as essential in the role, and bank tellers are likelier to operate automated systems and sell credit. Their skills have changed, and so have perceptions around the career.
Mail Carriers
Not long ago, you could earn a decent wage delivering or handling mail. But with the advent of email and online communication, our post has dwindled, and so has respect for postal service workers. Fortunately, some people still appreciate their mail carriers, leaving them cards and gifts for the holiday season.
Teachers
No one used to mess with teachers; they were held in high esteem. Today, their responsibilities have increased, but paradoxically, they’re not nearly as valued. Parents often micromanage and question their methods—something unheard of in the past.
Journalists
Not long ago, a reverence surrounded the media. Now, journalists are not seen as trustworthy, largely because of articles that purposefully misrepresent facts to create negative hype. However, many journalists have kept their integrity. It’s a case of bad apples spoiling the bunch.
Technicians
Many executives are under pressure to prioritize profits in the now, over investing in machine parts to ensure their future. So, when technicians advise that maintenance is necessary, they are often told to look for cheaper alternatives. Their expertise is brushed off as it doesn’t align with profit goals, leading to a general devaluing of the profession.
Truckers
Truckers used to be called “Knights of the Road” and were valued as a vital part of the economy. They had a reputation for helping people whose cars had broken down and offering travelers lifts. Now, they are stereotyped as sleazy, uneducated, and rough, often on screen. In reality, most truck drivers are hardworking and responsible.
Real Estate Agents
While real estate agents were once seen as serious professionals, these days, words like “cheesy” and “hustler” are thrown around when they’re spoken about. They’re even regarded as fame-hungry and phony with the recent spate of real estate agency reality shows.
Flight Attendants
Becoming a flight attendant was glamorous and prestigious in the 20th century. Unfortunately, flying isn’t the fancy affair it used to be. With more passengers and cheaper airfares, the glamour is much diminished—as is the respect given to these hardworking professionals.
Wait Staff and Bartenders
Waitering, bartending, and being a host at a restaurant was a respected life-long career path. Wait staff were admired for their efficiency, customer service, knowledge of food, and mixology skills. Now, seeing these jobs as steady, respected careers is very rare.
Taxi Drivers
Back in the day, taxi drivers were not just people who drove you from A to B. Their vast knowledge of the roads was respected. They knew every street off by heart and city maps like the back of their hand. They were experts in navigation. Many still are, but with online maps and navigation systems, their skills are less valued.
Social Workers
In the mid-20th century, a career in social work was seen as noble and important. Social workers were valued for their humanitarian contributions. Today, there are many stigmas associated with social workers: they separate kids from their parents, they’re bleeding-heart idealists, they’re sad middle-aged women—all grossly untrue. Social work is a complex profession that still performs a vital role in society.
A Shift in Perspective
The core of these professions hasn’t changed, just the perceptions surrounding them. Most people in these roles today are just as hardworking, skilled, and knowledgeable (or have the potential to be) as they were before.
Though technology has replaced many services, it will never offer the deeper understanding another human can. And if views around professions can change so quickly—you never know—they might reverse back!
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