They may have been partying at the Morning Show Boot Camp earlier this month, but for the rank-and-file DJ, 2008 has been a difficult year. Downsizing, voicetracking, longer shifts, and salary cuts are all part of the new reality for many on-air folks.

And then there's a recent article we spotted online by CareerBuilder.com's Rachel Zupek, "10 Evolving Jobs." It's a listing of professions that may be on thin ice because of technology advances and other changes in the occupational infrastructure of America.



Here's the list:

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers
Data entry and information processing workers
Fire and order clerks
Photographic process workers
Telephone operators
Pharmacy aides
Bindery workers
Radio and television announcers
Floral designers
Telemarketers
So, there it is - right between bindery workers and floral designers. As Zupek notes, the average salary of $36,120 for radio and television announcers is actually higher than for these other nine professions. But according to her analysis, "New technology and advancement of other media sources like satellite radio and syndicated programming means less need for radio and TV announcers."

Showing a decline rate of 8%, she suggests translating those DJ skills toward becoming a news analyst, reporter, correspondent, interpreter, or translator.

I'd suggest something different. Get out in the community, and build your own personal brand as a part and apart from the station you work for. Become great at personal and sales appearances. Learn how to do other jobs at the station, whether it's production or music scheduling. Work your audience, answer your phones, return emails and texts, and create a local bond with listeners. Become involved with local charities and good causes. Develop a voiceover business or become the PA announcer for the local sports team.

And don't even think about floral design. It's a dying business.