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7 careers that didn’t exist 10 years ago
The job market looks very different to how it did 10 years ago.
The job market looks very different to how it did just ten years ago, with entire career paths now existing that simply didn’t before. From Vertical Farm Technicians to Large Language Model Trainers, these seven roles are a glimpse into how quickly things can change.
In this article…
The career landscape has changed faster in the last decade than almost any point in history. Roles that didn’t have a job title in 2016 are now full-time positions at major organisations, and that trend isn’t slowing down. If you’re not sure what you want to do yet, that’s actually fine, because some of the jobs you might end up in haven’t even been invented yet. For now though, here are seven careers that are proof of just how much things have already shifted.
Large Language Model Trainer
Behind every AI chatbot or writing tool is a team of humans who taught it how to behave. Large Language Model Trainers work with AI companies to evaluate outputs, correct errors, flag biased or harmful responses, and help the model improve over time. It’s a role that requires clear thinking, strong communication skills, and often subject-matter expertise in a particular field. A few years ago this job didn’t exist anywhere. Now it’s one of the more in demand roles in the tech industry.
Sustainability Officer
Businesses of all sizes are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, and Sustainability Officers are the people making that happen from the inside. They analyse a company’s operations, identify where emissions, waste, or inefficiencies can be reduced, and develop strategies to hit environmental targets. It’s a role that blends science, policy, and business, and it’s one of the fastest-growing areas across almost every industry.
Esports Coach
Competitive gaming is now a professional industry with tournaments, sponsorships, and dedicated teams, and like any other sport, those teams need coaches. Esports Coaches work with players and squads on strategy, game mechanics, mental performance, and team communication. It’s a role that draws on sports science, psychology, and deep game knowledge, and it’s one that has gone from unimaginable to genuinely viable in under a decade.
Vertical Farm Technician
Vertical farming grows food indoors across stacked layers using controlled lighting, water systems, and climate technology, and it’s becoming a serious part of how some regions approach food production. Vertical Farm Technicians manage and maintain the systems that keep these environments running, monitoring plant health, troubleshooting equipment, and optimising growing conditions. It’s a hands-on technical role sitting right at the intersection of agriculture and environmental innovation.
Drone Operator
Commercial drone use has expanded into agriculture, construction, emergency services, filmmaking, and environmental monitoring. Drone Operators plan and execute flights for specific purposes, whether that’s mapping terrain, surveying infrastructure, or capturing aerial footage. It requires both technical skill and, depending on the context, formal licencing, making it a surprisingly structured and in-demand trade.
Podcast Producer
Podcasting has grown from a niche hobby into a major media industry, and behind every well-produced show is someone making it all work. Podcast Producers manage recording, editing, sound quality, publishing, and often the overall direction of a show. While audio production has existed for decades, the podcast-specific role is genuinely new, and it’s now a recognised position at media companies, independent studios, and in-house brand teams. Worth noting: this one did exist in related forms before, but the standalone role as it exists today is very much a product of the last decade.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity itself isn’t new, but the scale and specialisation of the field has grown enormously. Cybersecurity Analysts monitor networks and systems for threats, respond to breaches, and build defences against attacks. As more critical infrastructure, healthcare, and financial systems moved online, the demand for dedicated analysts exploded. This is one of those roles that technically existed before but has become a distinct, highly sought-after career in its own right over the last ten years.
The takeaway
The careers above are just a snapshot. New roles are emerging constantly as technology, the environment, and society keep shifting. The skills you’re building now, whether that’s critical thinking, communication, or technical know-how, are the foundation for jobs that may not even have a name yet.
If you want to explore more careers and find out where different paths could take you, check out our jobs and careers section.
taken from: studyworkgrow.com
