The rate at which retirement occurs will depend on the recovery of the stock market and the value of personal retirement accounts. By 2031, the older age group in the U.S. will out-number the young. Consider that 50 years ago there were 16 workers for each person on social security. For the next 15 years a steady demand for new workers will exist across all occupation categories. Because of the large segment of elders, entire new service industries will be developed to respond to their needs.
Speed is a defining characteristic of the new economy.
And a college graduate in the next decade should only expect the pace to quicken. Delivering the service quickly has restructured nearly every sector of the economy from automobiles to insurance. What this means for the employee is enhanced skills and competencies to meet the requirements placed on them to produce quickly. In addition employees must be open to change, pursue innovation, and be able to cope with the blurred boundaries of work and the other aspects of their lives. With a fast economy comes the responsibility of sustaining one s own employability and taking control of one s career.