1. College Professor
Once the pinnacle of job security and prestige, the role of a college professor is facing a major reckoning. Budget cuts, declining enrollment, and a growing skepticism about the value of higher education have many institutions trimming staff. Tenure-track positions are rarer, replaced by adjunct roles with little stability or benefits. Even elite schools aren’t immune to financial strain.
With student debt under the microscope and alternatives like online certificates gaining traction, the traditional academic path is losing its appeal. Professors in humanities and liberal arts are especially vulnerable, as programs are cut or merged. The job that once symbolized intellectual freedom is increasingly bound by administrative and financial pressure. For new PhDs, the dream is often out of reach.
2. Commercial Real Estate Broker
For years, commercial real estate was considered a safe bet—especially in booming metro areas. But as remote and hybrid work continues to dominate, demand for office space is plummeting. Brokers are now grappling with high vacancies and uncertain tenant interest, particularly in big cities. What used to be a commission-rich career is now filled with unpredictability and price drops.
The post-pandemic shift in work culture hasn’t reversed the way many had hoped. Major cities like San Francisco and New York are still struggling to fill office buildings. That’s left brokers scrambling for deals and clients who are less inclined to sign long-term leases. It’s a stark contrast to the steady flow of business that defined this career a few years ago.
3. Tech Product Manager
Just a couple of years ago, tech product management was one of the most sought-after and stable careers in Silicon Valley and beyond. But 2024 brought waves of layoffs across the tech sector, and PMs were hit harder than expected. Companies are scaling back, leaning into AI to replace certain planning and analysis functions. The “mini-CEO” role isn’t as ironclad as it once was.
Many product managers now face intense competition for fewer roles, and those who remain are being asked to do more with less. Budgets are tighter, timelines are shorter, and leadership is less forgiving of failed experiments. Job hopping used to be a strategic move in tech; now it can feel more like survival. Stability has been replaced with high-stakes pressure.
4. Mortgage Loan Officer
The housing market was red-hot during the pandemic, and loan officers had more business than they could handle. But rising interest rates in 2024 have slammed the brakes on new home loans and refinancing. With fewer people buying, loan applications are down and commissions have dried up. The feast has quickly turned into a famine.
Many officers have left the industry altogether, while others are clinging to smaller pieces of the pie. Job boards that were once flooded with listings are now thin. Even seasoned professionals with a strong client base are struggling to meet quotas. It’s a dramatic swing for a field that felt rock-solid just a short time ago.
5. Public School Teacher
Teaching has long been a cornerstone profession, but today it’s facing intense instability. Ongoing political battles, curriculum restrictions, and burnout have pushed many teachers to the brink. Districts are experiencing severe shortages one moment and sudden layoffs the next, often due to budget constraints. The emotional toll is pushing more educators to reconsider their future.
In some states, controversial laws have made classrooms battlegrounds over content and control. That’s led to increased scrutiny and a lack of support, both from parents and administrators. Teachers are leaving mid-year, sometimes en masse, creating ripple effects across entire communities. The role that once promised a lifelong career is now riddled with uncertainty.
6. Retail Pharmacist
Pharmacy work was once viewed as a high-paying, low-risk path in healthcare. But this year has seen major pharmacy chains shutting down locations and slashing hours. Burnout is rampant, and short staffing has led to unsafe working conditions and walkouts. Automation and mail-order services are also cutting into traditional roles.
Pharmacists now report longer hours with fewer support staff, leading to increased stress and errors. Corporate cost-cutting has replaced the once community-focused vibe of many local pharmacies. New graduates face a saturated job market with dwindling opportunities. What was once a solid, in-demand profession now comes with daily risks and decreasing returns.
7. Video Game Developer
The gaming industry has exploded in revenue, but job stability hasn’t followed suit. In 2024, several major studios laid off hundreds despite record profits. Developers are often hired on short contracts, then let go after a game’s release. Crunch culture remains, but without the promise of long-term employment.
Even well-reviewed titles don’t guarantee job security anymore. Studios are prioritizing shareholder returns over team longevity. Developers are burning out or moving to freelance work just to stay afloat. For a field that many enter out of passion, the reality has become unexpectedly volatile.
8. Journalist
The news industry has been in flux for years, but 2025 has been especially tough on reporters. Local newsrooms are shuttering at an alarming rate, and digital outlets are laying off staff as ad revenue dries up. AI-generated content is also cutting into traditional reporting jobs. Journalists are expected to cover more ground with fewer resources.
Investigative reporting, once the gold standard, is now a luxury most outlets can’t afford. Many seasoned writers are being replaced by younger, cheaper hires—or by algorithms. The career that once brought prestige and purpose is now rife with precarity. Passion still drives many, but stability is harder to come by.
9. Financial Advisor
Financial advisors used to be seen as recession-proof, but 2025 has tested that belief. Market volatility, inflation, and distrust in traditional investing have made clients more cautious. Robo-advisors and DIY platforms are gaining popularity, eating into the client base. Many advisors are seeing shrinking portfolios and increased pressure to perform.
Compliance costs are also rising, with new regulations adding layers of bureaucracy. Some advisors are being pushed out of large firms due to cost-cutting, forced to go independent or change industries. The personal touch still matters—but fewer people are paying for it. The path that once led to wealth and respect is no longer guaranteed.
10. Truck Driver
Trucking was a high-demand job with good pay and solid benefits just a few years ago. But 2025 has brought a downturn in freight demand and rising diesel costs, leading to layoffs and company closures. On top of that, autonomous driving tech is making inroads, threatening the long-term future of the profession. The independence and reliability once promised by the open road are fading.
Owner-operators are especially vulnerable, facing tighter margins and high debt loads from equipment costs. Major trucking companies are slowing hiring or freezing it altogether. And as supply chain issues ease, the need for urgent shipments has declined. The backbone of American logistics now feels less secure than ever.
11. Airline Pilot
Pilots were in such short supply after the pandemic that signing bonuses and fast-track programs exploded. But now, airline mergers and route reductions are putting new pilots in a holding pattern. Regional airlines have cut back service, and rising fuel costs are prompting reevaluation of staffing needs. That boom in hiring? It’s cooling quickly.
Many new pilots are stuck in training or reserve roles, waiting for routes that may not materialize. The job still pays well at the top, but climbing the ladder has become steeper again. As travel patterns shift and airlines adjust, job certainty has taken a hit. What once felt like a golden age for pilots may have been a brief bubble.
12. Graphic Designer
Graphic design was once a dependable creative profession with applications across industries. But with the rise of AI design tools and crowdsourcing platforms, demand for human designers is shrinking. Businesses are opting for quick-and-cheap over custom-and-quality. Even experienced designers are being undercut by templates and automation.
Freelancers, in particular, are struggling to maintain consistent income. Agencies are trimming staff and consolidating roles, expecting fewer people to do more work. Those trying to break into the field now face a flooded, hyper-competitive market. The creative freedom is still there—but the financial and job security isn’t.
This post 12 Careers That Were Stable Until This Year—and Now Feel Like A Gamble was first published on American Charm.
