Evening star., 1951-08-26
Job Handbook
Gives Advice on
Career Outlook
Labor Department
Volume AnoIyzes
Employment Field
By jack Jonas

tell on which door the knock will
come.
So, the Labor Department says
in its "Occupational Outlook
Handbook" published today, the
young people Of the Nation had
better be aware of the job oppor-
tunities in constantly shifting
economy.
The handbook was put out to
help advise them.
The book covers occupations
from accounting to X-ray tech
nicians, taking them up one by
one. 1t points out the long range
prospects in each field, and what
training and education is needed.
Principally, it stresses that more
and more education is necessary
to get and hold a job.
The book. a repeat OF similar
volume which sold 10000 copies
in 1949, is scheduled for use
chiefly by the United States
Employment Service, schools, col
legeS, the Veterans Administra-
tion, the armed forces, and any
others interested in counselling
the is million young people who
enter the labor force each year.
Example of Change.
Those who want to become
bartenders, blacksmiths, COW test
ers, dining car cooks, Omen,
jewelers., or any other of jobs
listed in the volume will find the
opportunities described. It covers
the professions, administrative
jobs, skilled and unskilled work.
Constant change is the most
significant aspect of the occu-
pational and industrial world in
which we live" the authors relate
A recent example is given.
The mobilization program
which followed Korea brought q
big change in the job picture, in
creasing opportunities in some
lines and curtailing them in
others.
Accountants, a crowded field
soon became scarce. Industry had
estimated late in 1949 that 80 pei
cent fewer engineers would be
hired in 1850.
But, the handbook says, "any
recent graduates who had taken
non-engineering jobs could find
opportunities to transfer to en-
gineering work." BY 1860, it is
predicted that engineering en-
ployment may rise to 100000,
some 100000 more than in 1948.
BARRIERS Up, COOpers Down.
A long-range change is indi-
Gated in what happened to the
BARRIERS and coopers since 1870.
In that year there were less than
$4,000 BARRIERS, and nearly $4,000
cooperS.
BY 1880. there were more than
250,000 BARRIERS, but only about
10000 coopers. The number of bar
berS had declined to a little better
than 100000 by 1910, but the num-
Der of coopers was so small that
they weren't even counted by the
census takers. Changes in pack
aging, the handbook says, brought
the decline in cooperS.
Although we cannot foreSee
anywhere near all that may hap
pen," the handbook reports, "a
real service will have been per-
formed if young people are made
aware of the dynamic character
OF the economy, and if they are
prepared to expect changes and tc
adjust to them. This means main
tanning the utmost fexibility and
taking the broadest kind of train
ing consistent with adequate prep
,aratlon for a particular occupa-
ton"
In the matter of training, the
book points out that the number
OF bachelors degrees awarded
jumped from fewer than 100000
in 1910 to more than $50, 900 ir
1850. Masters and doctors degrees
increased proportionately.
But business" it adds, "is still
noted as a field in which many
men with outstanding ability anc
energy are able to rise without
benefit of a college education.
Teaching Demand Strong.
The demand in the teachine
f1eld-already the largest single
professionally continue good. Il
will be affected, both by the in
creased postwar birth-rate, anc
demands of the armed forces. The
postwar 'baby boom" may cause
a need for 100000 more elemen-
tary school teachers by 1857.
There still are too many lawyers
The handbook says the profession
is overcrowded and likely will re.
main so during the next few years
The prospect is excellent fol
physicians-if would-be- doctor.
can gain admittance to medica
school.
"The net increase in the mum
ber of physicians will be moder
ate," the handbook says, "and i
not expected to equal the in
creased demand for medical serv
ice."
The outlook for dentists ais
is good.
But, despite the shortages o
workers in some occupations, an,
the fact that women have NOR
time on their hands, it's still
mans world.
"The great majority Of marie,
women, particularly those witt
small chiLeren, still devote thei
full time to household work" tn
handbook reports.
Youth Ratio DwindIes.
Other items reported:
/: AS the aged population grows
there will be a demand for med
ical services. for institutions t
care for the aged, and for thos
types of goods and services whicl
meet their needs.
Q: The proportion of youth il
the labor force is declining, mostl
because of longer periods o
schooling.