Have you ever worried that one day, robots will take over the world? Sounds like a crazy thought. But as companies in some industries begin to replace human jobs with robots, some people fear that it’s just a matter of time until bots are ruling the entire galaxy.
The good news is that robots taking control of our lives is very likely never going to happen. And the increase we’re seeing in robotics automation across many industries is also good news.
According to a 2015 poll conducted by the National Robotics Education Foundation (NREF), robotics was identified as a major source of jobs for millennials in this decade. In fact, robotics-related job openings are expected to grow by almost 500,000 positions by the year 2020. And the U.S. Department of Labor has classified both robotics engineers and robotics technicians as “bright outlook” careers.
Let’s take a closer look at some robotics employment opportunities.
First, it’s true that some jobs that were once managed by a human are now being performed by robots. We’re seeing it across several industries – from robotic warehouse workers and pharmacists to farmers and bartenders (yes, bartenders). But without the power of a human, these robots wouldn’t exist in the first place.
Robotics engineers are the brains behind robotics automation, and there’s a growing need for them in today’s workforce. Robotics engineers conceptualize, design and build the technology that companies are using. With advanced science and math skills, engineers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in robotics, mechanical engineering or a related field. Some states even require a robotics license if you want to work independently as a contractor/consultant.
Robotics technicians are also in demand. They’re the experts who keep the robots running once they’re built. From robot assembly/disassembly to troubleshooting and maintenance, the role of a technician is to make sure robotics technology runs for a long time.
If you think the field of robotics is out of your league, think again! There are employers in numerous industries that are leveraging robotics for certain aspects of their operations – from medical services and manufacturing to warehousing/distribution centers, aerospace and agriculture.
A list of the world’s top robotics innovators, suppliers and influencers (and employers!) was recently released by Robotics Business Review. You can view the 2017 list here.
Sources:
http://study.com/articles/Robotics_Engineer_Job_Outlook_and_Required_Education.html