I have rediscovered the Bureau of Labor Statistics website after reading the source of a CNN.com article. One of the most interesting aspects of their site is the Occupational Outlook Handbook which does just what its name suggests.

If you haven't been there recently, let me tell you a bit about how helpful this site is. You can query its database for a variety of statistical data as collected over the past 40+ years, including salaries per career and the value of a "basket of goods" as tracked over time. I'm particularly interested in its 10-year job outlook per field.

For industrial designers, the full outlook is available here. Although a bit broad like a fortune cookie prediction, they seem to be on the money when they say,

"Employment [for industrial designers] is expected to grow about as fast as average. Keen competition for jobs is expected; those with strong backgrounds in engineering and computer-aided design and extensive business expertise will have the best prospects."

From further reading of their analysis, it seems that my mechanical engineering background and experience in UI design will prove to be helpful. Elsewhere, in an article about "Tomorrow's Jobs" they cite:

"The long-term shift from goods-producing to service-providing employment is expected to continue. Service-providing industries are expected to account for approximately 15.7 million new wage and salary jobs generated over the 2006-2016 period (Chart 4), while goods-producing industries will see overall job loss."

It seems that my shift towards scripting with databases may prove to be a more sustainable direction, in the big picture. Not only is it a "service", but it is a money saving service with direct results ranging from faster product-cycle to less waste through fewer communication errors. The OOH is very positive about database administrators and predicts this field to be in high demand.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with their analysis?

As a result of the economic situation, I am shifting my talents to freelance scripting and design.

In case you aren't familiar with my most recent Reebok accomplishments, I'll list the top two so that you can better understand the benefits I provided to the collateral group.

First, through the use of InDesign, AppleScript, and FileMaker Pro, I wrote scripts that drastically decreased the catalog build time and effort. Using the FMP database and structured files, the Catalog Automation script is able to build an entire catalog from a template, and leaves only graphical modifications to the designer. Note that these catalogs include massive amounts of data and images, all requiring proper positioning and formatting. I also created a suite of small scripts that exponentially reduced the collateral designer's remaining tasks.

Secondly, I initiated the development of an advanced web-based and fire-wall protected collateral PDF library in order to cut printing costs and increase availability of updated information. Extending beyond the cost savings, this is an extremely beneficial project because the website can be edited effortlessly, and without any coding knowledge. The site is very dynamic thanks to a database as its backbone and PHP as its muscles.

I believe that the success I found at Reebok can be attributed to the leadership of my group, the availability to improve cumbersome processes, and the attitude of the company.

I will truly miss my talented co-workers, from whom I've learned more than words can describe. I look forward with optimism at finding yet another excellent company with the appropriate challenges and benefits.

While I search for another positive working relationship, I will be contracting out my AppleScripting, PHP, and design skills. I am confident that the benefits these skills can bring to processes and products will soon be recognized. Look for graphics illustrating these benefits in the near future. I will also be taking this time to re-evaluate my direction and pursue inventions that had previously been on the back-burner.