4 jobs that didn't exist 8 years ago

Learn key skills & resources to break into these lucrative jobs.

12/30/20242 min read

Many of us remember the glory days of Blockbuster, Hollywood Video, and even the early days of Netflix—family night staples for picking out the perfect movie. But fast-forward to today, and only one of these brands has survived. Why?

Innovation.

Netflix’s ability to stay ahead of trends and adapt has kept it relevant (despite a few hiccups with live streaming—though they nailed it on Christmas Day!).

Like Netflix in 2007, if you want to stay ahead, you need to recognize the importance of learning new skills and evolving. With that in mind, here are four jobs that didn’t exist 8 years ago—and the skills you can learn to break into these exciting fields.

1. AI Prompt Engineer

Design and fine-tune prompts for AI models like ChatGPT to achieve desired outcomes.

Why It Exists: An AI prompt engineer bridges the gap between human intent and AI capabilities, ensuring tools generate accurate, relevant, and impactful outputs. As generative AI becomes integral to industries like marketing, education, and customer service, prompt engineers optimize how these tools are used, making them more efficient and user-friendly.

Skills to Learn:

  • Basic AI/ML Understanding: Learn how tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and MidJourney work.

  • Effective Communication: Practice writing clear and structured prompts.

  • Experimentation: Play with free AI tools to see how prompts influence outcomes.

Resources:

2. Social Media Influencer Manager

Manage partnerships, contracts, and campaigns for social media influencers.

Why It Exists: A social media influencer manager is essential in the rapidly growing influencer economy, which has become a cornerstone of modern marketing. They bridge the gap between influencers and brands, negotiating deals, managing partnerships, and ensuring campaigns align with both parties’ goals. With the influencer marketing industry projected to be worth over $21 billion in 2024, these managers are in high demand, earning significant fees or commissions for their expertise.

Skills to Learn:

  • Social Media Platforms: Familiarize yourself with content creation and algorithms for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn. For example, short-form 10–15 second videos are trending right now.

  • Negotiation Basics: Learn the fundamentals of contracts and brand partnerships.

  • Tools: Master tools like Canva (for content planning) and scheduling platforms like Buffer or Hootsuite.

Resources:

3. Drone Operator/Engineer

Operate drones for delivery, agriculture, filmmaking, and surveillance, or design specialized drones.

Why It Exists: Drone operators and engineers are vital in industries like logistics, agriculture, filmmaking, and public safety, where drones are transforming traditional workflows. They provide cost-effective and efficient solutions for tasks like aerial mapping, crop monitoring, and package delivery. With the global drone market projected to exceed $50 billion by 2025, skilled operators and engineers are in high demand.

Skills to Learn:

Resources:

4. Virtual Reality (VR) Content Creator

Develop VR games, experiences, and educational tools.

Why It Exists: VR content creators are reshaping industries like gaming, education, healthcare, and entertainment by offering immersive, interactive experiences. They design captivating environments and narratives that enhance user engagement and provide innovative solutions for training, therapy, and storytelling. With the VR market projected to surpass $90 billion by 2028, demand for skilled creators is skyrocketing.

Skills to Learn:

Resources: