Consolidation in the Steel Industry

I grew up in Pittsburgh (born in the early 50's). I remember all too well what happened when the mills stopped production. Yes, the air was cleaner. But the jobs started to drift away. Not only did the production jobs leave, but all the management and engineering jobs along with them.

I saw the same scenario in Akron in the late 70's and early 80's. When the plants stopped making production tires, the engineers and technical staff said, "We are engineers, we are safe." And every third house in Akron seemed like it was for sale. I took the hint and moved from engineering to technical writing in the trade press.

This was followed by a few years in software firms where I had the audacity to actually try to use the code I was writing about. I was unpopular because I found too many bugs. Just look where the bulk of software development is now done.

You may wonder if I have wandered too far from the topic. I really have not, if you consider the premise of "Creative Destruction" put forth by Joseph Schumpeter.

The readers of these pages must continuously address the issue of, "Where will my next job be and what will I be doing?" If don't have an answer today, that is OK. However, if you have not yet given any thought to, "What next?" your career may well be concluded without your consent.