They instead had marketable skills, such as carpentry, electrical work, and manufacturing. Each worker specialized in a certain discipline, and the number of people working in each area was just enough to provide employment during economic prosperity. Today, almost everyone has a high school diploma or equivalent, and their worth means almost nothing. Jobs that can only be obtained with a high school education usually fall within fast food restaurants, and almost all are minimum wage with little opportunity to move up the ladder. A trade school or college education has usually dramatically improved employment opportunities, but, with the added emphasis of earning a college degree, they are starting to become as common as a high school diploma, and with nothing extra to distinguish one candidate from the others. other options, your chances of getting hired decrease dramatically. Why is this exactly? Shouldn't a society require effort from every single member to function fully? Well yes and no. With technological advances, the amount of work required of human workers decreases, as machines replace traditional jobs in sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. In 1780, farmers in America represented about 70% of the population {find the exact statistics}, and now, in 2015, farmers represent only 2% of the population, but they still produce enough food for the country thanks to progress in both agricultural activities. cultivation equipment and methods. With few options available even in these manual labor fields, and even fewer people aspiring to work in these fields because they simply don't have the pay or rewards like in the service sector