According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ November 2015
employment report, the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 7.9
million over the past twelve months. Additionally, the unemployment rate has
decreased by 0.8 percent. The report further
listed the employment population ratio at 59.3 percent, and the labor force
participation rate at 62.5 percent.
The Bureau also
reported industry and career patterns amongst United States citizens. According
to the Bureau, an increase in employment occurred in fields related to
healthcare, construction, and technical services.
In addition to this information, there were clear discrepancies
in unemployment amongst race/ethnicity according to the Bureau. For instance, unemployment was more prevalent
in Blacks than any other minority group, with Asians being the lowest. As a Black
American, I believe that we live in a system that economically disenfranchises
the black community. Black Americans have been at the forefront of civil rights
for all minorities to have opportunities and rights in the United States. Therefore I do not believe a “mentality”
explains the discrepancies in unemployment amongst race/ethnicity. My mother
was denied entry into white colleges during segregation. I believe the effects
of segregation still impacts the economic status of Black Americans today.
Although all minorities have experienced difficulties in achieving the American Dream, Native Americans and
Blacks have historically been disenfranchised longer, thus the impacts on us economically
still linger.
In regards to employment
trends, construction has grown to 259,000 jobs, technical services 298,000, and
healthcare into 470,000. I believe technical services, especially in the area
of information technology, is rapidly increasing due to the current global environment
that is fueled by technology. Because
today society is “computer based” specialist are needed in the fields involving
data analysis and monitoring. Thus it is not surprising that the Bureau’s statistics
reflect growth in this industry.
I believe in 2016 that the United States can further expect
decreasing unemployment rate, and job creation in industries specifically related
to data. This is because every other
industry is reliant on computers to operate. For instance, the healthcare industry
has had phenomenal growth, but this industry cannot continue to grow without
the implementation of technology in this field. With an increasing population,
and competition in a global economy, it is important that the United States
stay at the forefront of the technological changes that are occurring around
the world. The United States should further
encourage individuals to enter technological industries by providing incentives,
especially to students, to enter into fields involving data collection, maintenance, and interpretation. In doing this, the United States can continue
to capitalize from an industry that is increasingly growing. When a country
invests in technological advancements, it expands its potential growth.
Works Cited
The Employment Situation- November 2015. (2015, December 4). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 10th, 2015 from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ewpsit.pdf
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