Boring jobs refers to occupations with little creativity and excitement opportunities. You can imagine such work killing the time or seeing the clock and wishing that your shift comes to the end. Boredom can result in job dissatisfaction, high attrition rate and low productivity. This list can help you assess the drivers to a monotonous atmosphere. Lift Operator Lift operators make sure that visitors, tenants, residents get to the right floor. They may use two-way radios or the elevator’s alert system in case of emergency. Most of the time, they will just sit and listen to music. They’ll receive a dose of anti-boredom rush whenever they build rapport with passengers or hear their favorite music. But most of the time, the cycle of pressing a button, letting passengers in and out gives this job minimal career advancement. Tollbooth Fee Collector In countries where manual toll payment is used (non-RFID), tollbooth fee collectors or cashiers process hundreds to thousands of motorists. You’ll have to quickly process each motorist, assign the correct charge for the different vehicle types. The repetitive cashiering and sitting at the booth for 8 hours a day can make this work boring. But a plus side of this job is that you’ll be greeting and meeting numerous people. Factory Worker A classic example of a boring job is a factory worker. Here you could be assigned to packing, canning, sardines processing or product assembly line of a manufacturing or production plant. An 8 to 12-hour shift might mean bad posture, repeating the same motion over and over again, and having to stand for long period of time. Security Guard For the most part of this job, you’ll be standing or sitting in your security cubicle or booth. There you’ll be guarding, greeting customers, checking bags, populating records. You may also stand at the entrance and open the door for customers. Transcriptionist Doctors, lawyers and other industries outsource their mundane tasks overseas, including transcribing. The task of a transcriptionist is to listen to spoken words and sentences or audio recording and transcribe them into grammatically and factually correct paragraphs and documents. While you’ll use your attention and grammar skills here, in the end, you could get overwhelmed by the repetitive tasks. Buckingham Palace Guards A special brigade or force protects the royal family queen of the United Kingdom. These bearskin and red-tunics wearing guards stand at the entrance and hold a rifle. They march back and forth at the main entrance, secondary entrance, aisle and hallways. These guardsmen need to express a professional level of discipline while marching and dealing with possible troublemakers. But the repetitive nature of this job makes it one of the most boring jobs. Bagger Baggers are entry-level jobs posted at supermarket cashier stations. Here you’ll take the correct plastic or paper bag for the customer’s goods. You will tie cardboard cartons and make sure they are resistant to tampering and rough handling. You may also assist them in their vehicles or transport terminal. Housekeeper It is one of the most backbreaking and tiring jobs. Housekeeping isn’t fun when you have to repetitively keep rooms tidy and neat, and use the same equipment all day. On top of that, the constant back bending to arrange bedsheets and pillows makes this job not only boring but also difficult. Data Encoder Sitting in front of the computer and typing texts from paper to computer will surely send your mind into daydreaming. Typing and scrolling your mouse can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or sprained wrist. Call Centre Agent While handling customers' queries and solving their problems can improve your speaking and customer service skills, when such a cycle is made over and over again, boredom follows. Add to that, you have to deal with rude customers. Unpleasant and non-challenging things can make working uninteresting.

Someday when the technology (supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence) reaches its peak, some roles that were used to be performed by humans could be taken over by AI or robots. This list doesn’t intend to frighten people currently holding these jobs but only to inform what could be possible if we reach the time of super-intelligent robots and computers as predicted or calculated by Moore’s law.  Couriers Couriers are the frontline of logistics. They retrieve and deliver goods from the warehouse to the wholesalers or customers. They also refer to delivery riders that bring goods ordered by those using an online store or app. The advances in drone technology (cameras, radio-control, wifi and rotors) made aerial delivery possible. On top of that, autonomous vehicles perform courier roles. Here are the instances: Amazon delivery robots - These machines have been already deployed in Irvine, California. Humans still accompany these robots in case of trouble. Rakuten and Yamato tested delivery robots - The two companies tested the cute delivery robots (having like human eyes) if they are efficient enough to deliver parcels. Domino’s pizza delivery robot - The fast-food chain is getting closer to the delivery of pizzas.  While drones and robots replacing couriers sounds cool, they could still be limited to technologically advanced countries and might not completely replace humans for the following reasons: Human oversight is needed. Things could still go wrong while the machine is on the way to delivery. Unforeseen circumstances include thieves and bad weather. Drones carrying pizzas can be attacked by eagles and owls. Waiters At the frontlines of hotels, resorts and restaurants, waiters carry out tasks - customer service, upsell food, take orders and deliver food. In Japan, a cafe is run by robots controlled by people with disabilities. These robots can talk to customers, carry food or drinks and take orders. The PWDs control the machines remotely via the internet, wi-fi and another radio device. The robots can give disabled people an opportunity to earn wages even if they are homebound or lacking their arms or legs. Here’s another video of the said wait staff androids. Masons Masons or bricklayers comprise the essential part of the construction team. Being tedious and quite repetitive, the role could fall into the hands of the next robot applicant. According to an article, Bricklayer SAM (Semi-automated mason) 100 can lay 800 to 1,200 bricks a day compared to man’s 300 to 500. The robot uses sensors and lasers to measure the orientation, speed and angle of bricklaying. But experts agree that robot masons won’t completely replace humans because:  SAM 100's role is to leverage and enhance human masons’ work. Human oversight is needed. Skilled human workers can lay bricks, deal with aesthetics and tricky spots and remove excess mortars. Masons can adapt to differences between theoretical and actual building specifications on site. Prison Guards Watching and guarding hundreds to thousands of prisoners can be tedious and dangerous if riots break out or if one the jailbird conceals a deadly weapon. Robot prison guards to the rescue. One such autonomous guard is already at work in South Korea. Tagged cells guide the robot to detect risky behaviours such as suicide and violence. This four-wheeled robot could be confined in rich countries because it costs nearly $300,000 which developing countries can’t afford since they could run squalid and cramped prisons. Receptionists In any hotel, resorts, malls, and office towers, you’ll be greeted by a smiling receptionist or concierge. A report from the Business Insider showed Furhat Robotics’ social-robot built with a human-like face. Features include:  The head and shoulder automaton weighs 3.5 kg, capable of mimicking human facial expressions and 3-degree head-turning. Users can change the face to any animal or human faces that differ in ethnicity and gender. Disassembled, the robot shows two speakers, a wide-angle camera for tracking movements and external microphones. The robot bust can also show emotions by changing the color of its base. Farmer What if our traditional farmers could be replaced by robot farmers? Soon there could be robot scarecrows. Advances in agrotechnology have already made autonomous machines that run on artificial intelligence, sensors and manipulation tools. The Berne University of Applied Sciences is currently developing a field robot that can sow and fertilize fields. Makoto Koike, a Japanese engineer, invented a cucumber sorter powered by Google’s TensorFlow. His machine can sort the cucumbers based on color, freshness, shape, texture and scratches through image recognition. Postman  During the 1980s and 1990s, postmen tackled numerous tasks of sorting, storing and sending letters and documents. In the future, robots may be vying for this job. Carmaker Ford tested a robot postman, a two-legged and autonomous delivery robot that can carry packages that weigh up to 18kg. The limit? It can only bring packages from a delivery van to your doorstep. Another robot is Atlas by Boston Dynamics. The anthropomorphic robot can walk like a human, avoid obstacles using a LiDAR and move with flexibility using 28 hydraulic joints.

Security is indispensable for the peace and order of companies, organisations, small to medium enterprises and every community. If anyone can be trusted, there could be less to zero need for security services. If you’re eyeing a career in the security industry, here are some of the jobs to consider. CCTV OPERATOR CCTV operators are the eyes and ears of the security system. You operate sophisticated TV monitors, two-way radios, smartphones and cameras. You may be posted at airports, hotels, banks, central bank offices, transport terminals, offices, seaports and in any place where security is crucial and CCTV systems are installed. Responsibilities: Constantly monitor 10 to 15 screens showing different live streams or pictures or surveillance cameras installed in different locations. Notify management, police and security guards of any incidents such as antisocial, suspicious objects and behaviour. Maintain cleanliness and order inside the CCTV room. Keep logs or reports of incidents. Provide CCTV footage evidence when requested by courts. Qualifications/skills: Able to concentrate for long hours Computer literate Depending on your country, you may or may not need a special degree although some companies require a license in Public Space Surveillance authorised by a recognised agency or authority. Knowledge of security protocols such as discreteness, not discussing what you saw on CCTV to anyone but to an authorised person. Passed training on CCTV operation Willingness to work shifts of more than 8 hours a day (12 hours shift) AIRPORT AND SEAPORT CUSTOMS OFFICER Airports and seaports control the flow of goods, people and animals. Left unchecked, illegal and dangerous items can enter the country’s border. The job of a customs officer is to enforce the country’s laws on what can and can’t enter. Responsibilities: Communicate and coordinate with team members. Enforce rules on anti-money laundering laws. Flag and question suspicious behaving individuals. Liaise with the police and other authorities. Monitor X-ray machines to ensure no restricted items go unchecked. Restricted items are allowed things but with certain limits (quantity) and documentation needed (licenses and paperwork). Monitor X-ray machines to ensure that there’s no contraband left unchecked such as illegal drugs, goods from endangered species, weapons, explosives, and pornographic materials. Question and refer people who have been found with illegal and restricted items. Screen inbound passengers and ask them to remove and place their shoes, belt and metal objects onto conveyors of X-ray machines. Search vehicles, luggage, and containers. Write incident reports. Qualifications/skills: Computer literate Meticulous or attention to detail Politeness and customer-friendly demeanour BODYGUARD Bodyguards mostly work for security agencies or direct hire of an individual. Hollywood made movies about bodyguards such as the one portrayed by Kevin Costner who protected a music superstar (Whitney Houston). Bodyguards are like military men, they must know how to protect their client who can be a politician, businessman, high-ranking government official or any person whose life is at risk. Responsibilities: Advise clients of valuable information or intelligence. Check points of entries. Deal with issues such as burglary, trespassing, and theft. Deny entry to unauthorized individuals. Direct clients to safe passageways. Monitor CCTV feeds. Protect clients from possible physical harm. Qualifications/skills: Knowledge/skills in intelligence gathering and counterterrorism Physically fit Skilled in self-defense IMMIGRATION OFFICER As government employees, immigration officers play a central role in safeguarding the countries’ borders, airport and seaport. They work with customs officers to uphold immigration laws and mitigate security risks. Being one, you’ll work in a booth-like workplace and thousands of people. Responsibilities: Ask inbound and outbound passengers about their job, length and purpose of stay, etc. Conduct interviews. Deny entry to individuals who lack proper travel documents (forged passports), or are blacklisted. Flag and refer inbound individuals deemed suspicious to appropriate authorities due to health risks, bad behaviours and intelligence reports. Mark entry and exit stamps to the passport Organise the removal of passengers who are not eligible for entry. Record personal details and take fingerprints. Use immigration-related software via computer to check records. Verify inbound and outbound passengers’ travel documents - passport and visa. Qualifications/skills: Computer literacy Customer service (positive demeanour) Meticulous and attention to detail Use of database software JAIL (CORRECTIONAL) OFFICER The price of violating a law warranting incarceration is losing freedom and being confined in crowded jail facilities (in developing and some developed countries) and eventually the loss of freedom. The responsibility of keeping prisoners in jail goes to jail officers and wardens (the managers of jail facilities). This job can be tough as you will be dealing with possible riots. Responsibilities: Check baggage to ensure no contraband (drugs and weapons) goes inside. Count inmates through manual or asking them to self-count. Count inmate’s issues of receipts and personal properties. Enforces rules on inmate conduct, hygiene, facility and visitation hours. Lock and guard cells.   Perform checks on inmates and visitors. Prepare reports of incidents. Prevent physical confrontations and riots to protect inmates and fellow jail officers. Provide emergency assistance such as first aid, CPR, escape and evacuation. Qualifications/skills: Calm and positive demeanour Meticulous and attentive to details Physically fit Skilled in self-defense SECURITY GUARD/OFFICER The most visible and common security job, security guards are the frontline of the security team. They face many people, different personalities and various temperaments. In this job, you must be resilient since you might work for long hours/shifts standing or sitting in front desks or entrances. You must be ready for different kinds of personalities (arrogant, polite, weird) and any type of people you can think of. You could be posted at concierge, malls, supermarkets, retail stores, airport, seaport, headquarters, construction sites, offices and schools. Responsibilities: Aid client motorists by directing traffic. Enforce rules and policies regarding safety and security. Operate CCTV. Operate defense weapons to mitigate. Patrol premises to make sure everyone’s safety. Restraining trespassers. Screen incoming visitors by frisking, patting or using metal detector tools to prevent entrance of dangerous items (guns, illegal drugs, weapons, knives). Use two-way radios or any communication devices to coordinate with other team members. Write reports about incidents such as thief, quarrelling and other anti-social behaviours. Qualifications/skills: Computer literacy Emotional control Honesty and integrity Physically fit Surveillance CONCIERGE RECEPTIONIST Here you are the face of an organisation – the first person to meet visitors, applicants and employees. You’re likely to work at a hotel, office towers and bank. Responsibilities: Operate intercom. Politely greet and ask visitors to register their names and provide their IDs or any identification documents. Provide reference numbers to visitors. Qualifications/skills: Customer service English and other languages Security procedures Telephony

There’s a law of nature where everything is affected by time and changes. From wilting leaves to rusted iron bars - nothing is permanent. Being loyal to your company or management is admirable but soon you’ll face situations that can affect your decision making, comfort zone and personal economy. Whether you're employed for a year or months, this list will help you gauge your decision before quitting your job.  You’re at a difficult working environment A difficult working environment can make your work more laborious, tiring and monotonous. It can zap your motivation quickly and drain your peace of mind. A difficult working environment involves: Dangerous working conditions (metal foundry, exposure to biohazards, nuclear power plant) Unhealthy working hours (working late at night) Difficult working peers - aloof, bossy, control-freak and the hot-headed team leader, manager or director Prolonged and unpaid working hours Negative office politics that affect your productivity and career advancement To take advantage of a better opportunity The best opportunities are akin to comets - they occur seldomly. Ignoring them is like throwing away a winning lottery ticket. A saying “Excuses will always be there for you, opportunity won’t”, upholds this wisdom. So if you’re 100% sure that a better opportunity comes and negates your current working environment - grab it immediately. If you’re just in your comfort zone, you could be missing many opportunities. You may never know what lies out there until you start to search and analyse.  Missed chances can be:  Better working conditions, pay, and career advancements Workplace near home which means no need to pay monthly rents Job abroad or overseas that pays well more than your local employment The years spent on your current job could be better spent on more lucrative careers.  Obviously, if you get a new job offer that presents better pay and environment, then it’s reasonable to quit or resign. Once you passed the interview and signed a contract, and as long as there’s nothing holding you back, there’s no better alternative but to say goodbye to your current job and say hello to your new career. Career Change Career change refers to taking a new role different from your current job. You’ll do career change to improve job satisfaction, life quality and remuneration. This strategy is the best way to uplift your current standing and change the course of your life. A career change could mean: Assessing skills, beliefs and values Considering a new job within the same industry Setting up a job shadow (following and observing a professional) Planning to study for a short course or new degree Studying for a short course or degree is the best way to move up the social or career ladder. It can help you gain new skills that only an extra short course or degree can offer. While it’s possible to work and study at the same time, it might take a longer time than committing full time studying to finish. If you have enough savings and side income, you can still study full-time without going broke. Lay-off is looming Lay-offs are mass removal or reduction of staff caused by bankruptcy, company merger, and economic downturn. Just waiting for a lay-off and ignoring the signs can surprise you, if one day, you have been told that you no longer have a job while minding how to pay your never-ending monthly bills and rent. Relocation Working far away from your home can be taxing especially if you’re commuting.  You’ll wake up early and arrive early to cope with the distance of 40 to 60 km between home and workplace. Even if you own a car, it can be tiring to drive back and forth for such distance and endure heavy traffic. Conflicting schedules and working hours You may have urgent and important schedules that can be more or equally important to your work. Conflicting schedules include: A family member with a disease  Newborn child Schooling Serious personal medical condition

As mortal beings, humans are expected to do their prime activities in their mid or late 20s. Others who aren’t fortunate enough to fund their education or unlucky to meet economic hardships, still decide to further education and career even at a later age. There’s a common mentality that learning is enough in college and that learning at a later age is futile. But here are these people who defied against odds - time and their age.   Ramil Comendador (Filipino janitor turned lawyer) The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that a former Janitor of COMELEC - Ramil Comendador became a lawyer after years of studying at the Universidad de Manila while doing full-time work at COMELEC. He is 38 at that time (in 2017). Mr. Ramil told the media that his mentor is the former constitutional commissioner Rene Sarmiento. Before pursuing the bar exam, he finished the pre-law course of Public administration. The bar passer hails from Catanduanes - an island province in the Bicol region.   Soichiro Honda (Japanese businessman and mechanic) The founder and chairman of Honda Motor Company started as a car mechanic in 1928. By 1948 at the age of 42, he formed the company. After 10 years, he turned his company into the leading motorcycle manufacturer. At 82 in 1998, Soichiro and his company made it to the Automobile Hall of Fame. The Honda chairman quoted “Success represents the 1% of your work which results from the 99% that is called failure.”   Generito U. Yusores Mr.Yusores is a Filipino tricycle driver who graduated with a degree in Education from Western Mindanao State University. Despite his age at 64 (in 2019), he pursued schooling and worked hard by doing two jobs - tricycle driver at day and student at night. Previously, his parents enrolled him in Ateneo de Cagayan but because of alcohol and peer influence, he lost his interest in schooling and eventually he dropped out. After years of contemplating and realizing that some of his classmates were earning good wages, he decided to enrol in a university.    Taikichiro Mori (Japanese real estate tycoon) Before he went to the property bloom, Takichiro left as an economic professor at 55 in Yokohama State University and started in 1959 as a real estate developer. He was successful in persuading businessmen and residents to agree to his plans of redevelopment. By the 1980s, his company Mori Building Company opened Ark Hills complex that includes a concert hall, apartments, offices, hotel, a shop and a television studio. In 1992 he became the world’s richest man with a fortune of $16 billion or $84.4 billion when adjusted for today’s inflation. Taikichiro is also known as “Ooya-san” - a friendly Japanese term for a landlord.   Paul Siromoni Paul Siromoni of Chennai, India was 90 years old when he became famous for earning a PhD even at his advanced age. Dr. Paul Siromoni earned his Doctorate degree after finishing his thesis or research entitled “God’s call to the church to join in transforming the world into a kingdom of love”, some seminars, six papers and three exams. Paul Siromoni is one of the inspirations for young, middle-aged and old people to learn even at old age.   Raj Kumar Vaishya Raj Kumar Vaishya of Patna, India, proved that learning post-graduate studies isn’t too late. At the age of 98, he passed the Master of Arts in Economics from Nalanda Open University (NOU). He finished his three-hour exam in 2017 along with students who could be younger than his grandchildren. Another amazing fact about this man is that - he can read even without glasses. His tips for longevity include - being vegetarian, avoiding fried foods and eating in moderation.   Gladys Burrill Aged 92, Gladys Burrill managed to complete the Honolulu Marathon in 2010 which took nine hours and 53 minutes, setting a Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest female to finish a certified marathon. She was a horseback rider, climber, hiker and aircraft pilot.    Susan Boyle  Susan Boyle is a British singer who joined Britain’s got talent. Despite criticisms, she managed to defy all odds, amaze the jurors and send her albums into one of the best sellers in the United Kingdom.   Ray Kroc of McDonald’s The founder of the famous golden arch franchise has a humble beginning. Ray Kroc started selling milkshake machines. When he passed by a burger stand in San Bernardino, California, he bought the McDonald brothers’ business. At this time (in 1954), he was 52 years old. After six years, Ray Kroc expanded his McDonald’s franchises to 200. He managed to bring his franchises to stardom when he entered the Franchise Realty Corporation. The rest is history - McDonald’s is a global fast-food restaurant.