With the recent explosion in tech-focused jobs, it’s difficult – if not impossible – to imagine a world in which web developers and digital gurus provide no value to society. But in a post-apocalyptic world where walkers run amok, being a software engineer or digital marketing professional isn’t going to keep you alive. So, in the event our generation does encounter something like The Walking Dead, which jobs and skills are actually going to be important for sustaining society – and ensuring that your life will be valued by your machete-wielding companions?
(Photo Credit: rpavich/Flickr)
If you’ve been keeping up with The Walking Dead this season (without spoiling anything for you), you already know how important it is to have a doctor on-hand. Not only can doctors help with amputations when someone gets bitten, they can also help keep you and your family alive if you are attacked by other humans, the Governor, or even a nasty flu. Whether you’re a real doctor (or veterinarian-turned doctor) will be key to surviving the walkers. The downside? Although doctors earn a salary of around $176,000, they aren’t necessarily going to be rolling in cash in the post-apocalyptic world. But maybe your skills will warrant you an extra can of beans or two.
Many Millennials excel at using technologies that didn’t exist 10 years ago. Needless to say, there are fewer and fewer of us going into areas like farming, and more of us going into the technology field. This isn’t very surprising given the fact that farmers only earn around $33,000 per year. With that said, we still need farmers if we’re going to get through this thing alive. Farmers can provide nutrition, and they can farm on plots close to camp so you don’t have to worry about getting bitten by a walker when you need to pick some carrots for dinner. The bottom line is, everyone needs to eat. Not just the walkers.
Teaching may be one of the most underpaid professions of our time, but that doesn’t make teachers any less important now, or in the a zombie-dominated future. When the walkers take over and humanity has retreated to safety, we will need teachers to help teach the young children that we hope will be around. Teachers today only get paid around $42,000 per year, but their skills will be priceless in the post-apocalyptic world. Just think about Judith – she’s just a baby now, but eventually she’s going to be walking and talking. And because Rick is busy slaying walkers, someone needs to be there to help these kids grow up ready to face mankind’s new grim reality.
If The Walking Dead has taught us anything about surviving, it’s that you definitely need a police officer on your side in the post-apocalyptic world. Before Rick was axing zombies, he was earning around $45,000 per year … until he woke up in the hospital to find that all hell had broken loose. Today, his friends would consider him and his kills priceless – and vital to their survival. Not only do police officers know how to handle firearms, they also have the most experience when it comes to getting out of unsafe situations. Police officers know how to stay calm during stressful events. And more importantly, they know when it’s time to run for your dear, sweet life.
Seems to have worked out well for Glenn.
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Is there a career we missed that you think might make it through the zombie apocalypse? We want to hear from you! Comment below or join the discussion on Twitter!
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